
Class— 
Book— ^W 




The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway reaches all the important trade centers 
and the rich fe sections of the great Southwest. / 



sctioh^ 



TEXAS 



THE' 



MKIi 



^ 



An illustrated description of present 
conditions in the 

Lone Star State 



"With comparative tables showing the 
marvelous growth and exceptional 
advantages offered to the prospective 
investor or homeseeKer. jZ? j& j& jz? 



'Ye little stars hide 
Your diminished rays." — Pope. 



Compiled from information gathered by the 

PASSENGER TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT, 
MISSOURI, KANSAS & TEXAS RAILWAY SYSTEM, 

'l SAINT LOUIS, MO. 




Fr^Si 






INTRODUCTORY. 



THIS somewhat meagre description of Texas is not intended to 
be a history or even a complete description of the great 
Lone Star State, but rather present, in a concise form, re- 
liable information about that part of Texas traversed by the 
Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, and reached by its principal 
connections. The data has been very carefully collected and com- 
piled by a representative of the passenger department of the 
M. K. & T. Ry., who personally visited every section and county 
described, and with the assistance of the United States Department 
of Agriculture, and the Texas Agricultural Department, the State 
and County officials, secured the information. Texas is developing 
very rapidly and shows a wonderful increase in wealth and pros- 
perity. The Census Report of 1900 shows an increase of over 
800,000 in population from 1890 to 1900. In wealth and taxable 
property the increase was even greater. Texas boasts of a per 
capita wealth greater than any other State. The people are pros- 
perous and progressive. Texas lands, rich and productive, can be 
purchased at a lower price and under more favorable terms than 
the same quality of land in Northern or Eastern States. The climate 
is healthy and most favorable for farming and stock raising. A 
greater variety of crops can be grown and better prices secured 
than elsewhere, owing to the exceptionally fine home and foreign 
markets. The educational and religious facilities are equal to any 
State in the Union. The school fund, realized from sale and rental 
of property owned by the State, is the boast of every Texan. Truly 
has it been said that Texas is the "Empire State of the South." 

Present conditions presage a wonderful future for this State, 
so rich in natural resources. 



TEXAS. 



HISTORICALLY, Texas is one of the most interesting states in 
the Union. In 1686, LaSalle landed at a point near the 
present town of Matagorda; and in 1691 an attempt was made 
by the Spanish to settle Texas. San Antonio, the oldest European 
settlement in the Southwest, was founded in 1693. The foundation 
of its celebrated Alamo, the cradle of Texas liberty, was laid in 
1744. For 161 years Spanish domain held sway, and it was not until 
1822 that Texas owed allegiance to the Mexican Government. In 




The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas. Erected in 1744. 



1823, Stephen F. Austin, with a colony of three hundred families, 
settled at San Antonio. From this time a desire for liberty and a 
free and independent government lived, culminating March 2, 1836, 
in a declaration that the Republic of Texas would thereafter main- 
tain a free and independent government. This declaration brought 
on hostilities with Mexico. General Santa Anna, the Mexican Presi- 
dent, with a large army, invaded Texas. The decisive battle of the 



war was fought on April 21, 1836, at San Jacinto, about twenty miles 
southeast of the present city of Houston, resulting in a decided 
victory for the Texas forces, commanded by General Sam Houston. 
The Mexicans discontinued hostilities, leaving the Texas Republic 
in the hands of the valiant pioneers who fought so nobly and strenu- 
ously to victory against vastly superior numbers. As a Republic, 
Texas flourished from 1836 to 1845, in which year it was admitted to 
the Union, forming the twenty-eighth star added to the galaxy of 
States. 

Since the admission of Texas to the Union, there has been a 
tremendous increase in population and wealth, bringing the State 
rapidly to the front. Texas occupies an unique position, and with 
the wonderful resources within its boundaries, can truthfully be said 
to be an Empire within itself. Border ruffianism has long since 
passed away, and the Texas of today is up-to-date and very wide- 




M. K. & T. Ry. Bridge, Red River. 

awake. The State is settled by progressive, industrious and hos- 
pitable people from all parts of the Union, making the State, as a 
whole, very cosmopolitan. 

Texas has the largest permanent school fund of any State in 
the Union, amounting to the enormous sum of $44,800,000, expend- 
ing annually for educational purposes five dollars per scholar, while 
the average for the remaining States is but one dollar and thirty- 
five cents per scholar. The world's religious organizations are 
represented in nearly every community, and in the cities handsome 
church edifices are fitting monuments to the religious fervor of the 
people. 

The latest report from the Attorney General's office shows that 
the laws are better enforced in Texas than in any other State, ex- 
cepting Rhode Island. 



Location and Area. 

Extending from the twenty-sixth to the thirty-sixth parallel, 
north latitude, and from the sixteenth to twenty-ninth meridian of 
longitude west of Washington, D. C, Texas covers a greater area 
than the combined area of the States of New York, Pennsylvania, 
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 
Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and Indiana, 
comprising about one-eighth of the total area of the United States. 



Altitude, Climate, Health. 

Its altitude ranges from sea level on the Gulf Coast to nearly 
seven thousand (7000) feet above sea level in the western portion. 
The climate is one of the chief attractions of Texas. The extremes 
of heat and cold are less than in any other section of the United 
States. The hottest days of mid-summer are less oppressive than 
in the Northern States. The summer days are pleasant, the nights 

delightful. This is at- 
tributal to the Gulf winds 
which blow across the 
State after passing over 
the cooling waters of the 
Gulf of Mexico. In winter 
the difference in tempera- 
ture between Texas and 
the North is still more 
manifest. The thermome- 
ter rarely registers below 
freezing point. It can 
truthfully be said that 
Texas has the most uniform, equable and mild climate of any section 
of the country. Southwest Texas has long been recognized by lead- 
ing physicians as possessing superior climatic conditions for the 
relief of persons suffering with pulmonary trouble. 

The climate of the Gulf Coast country is beneficial to persons 
suffering from asthma and other bronchial and catarrhal affections. 
The records from the Department of Health are more favorable 
than those of any other State except Rhode Island. 

Population. 

The population of Texas (United States Census Report) in 
1900 was 3,048,710, as compared with 2,225,523 for 1890, showing 
remarkable increase for ten (10) years of 823,187, or more than 
thirty-seven (37) per cent. 

7 




Residence near Denison. 



How Texas Ranks. 

As compared with other States, Texas ranks first in area, second 
in railroad mileage, fourth in per capita wealth, seventh in popula- 
tion. It ranks first as producer of cotton, cattle and horses. In 
1900 it produced more than one-third of the cotton crop of the 
United States, and more than one-fourth of the world's cotton crop. 
Total number of farm animals more than twelve million. The 
State is now in the second place in the production of hogs. 

Texas Also Has 

More prairie land than Kansas, more fine timber than Michigan, 
more oak than West Virginia, more iron than Alabama, more marble 
than Vermont, more granite than New Hampshire, more corn land 
than Illinois, more wheat land than the Dakotas, more rice land than 
Louisiana, more fruit land than California, more tobacco land than 
Virginia. 

Business Prospects. 

Texas holds out greater inducements and business prospects 
than any other section. The cities are in a flourishing condition 




Fine Cattle and Hogs, Wichita County. 



and growing rapidly. With the cheap fuel oil now being produced 
in the great oil fields of South Texas, marvelous growth in indus- 
tries is promised. The visitor or investor from other States marvels 
at the development. The cities are well and modernly built, having 
electric street railways, economical and modern system of lighting 
and of water supply, splendid school systems, beautiful church 
edifices, fine public buildings, and large and solid business insti- 
tutions. 



Emigration. 

Emigration to Texas during the past few years, as will be 
observed from the figures presented herein, has been enormous, 
and the trend of travel is still Texaswards. 

The wide-awake homeseeker, farmer and investor has his eye 
on Texas and is buying lands there. 

The Growth of Texas Has Been Marvelous. 

A comparison of the population, the farm products and the 
assessed values of the State for the years 1870 and 1900, shows the 
wonderful advancement Texas has made. 



in 1870 

The population was 818.579 

The cotton product in bales was 350,628 

The corn " " bushels was 20,559,538 



The wheat ' ' 

The oat " " 

The total assessed valuation 

The total railway mileage 

The total value of farm products 



415,112 

762,663 

$170,473,778 

200 

.$ 49,186,170 



In 1900 

3,048,710 

3,536,506 

81,962,210 

23,395,913 

28,2 8,232 

$916,320,258 

11,500 

$333,679,389 



Increase 

2 230.131 

3,185,878 

61.402,672 

22,980,801 

27,515,569 

$775,846,480 

11,300 

$281,493,219 



Look at the Maps. - 

The close observer of the maps herein will notice that the 
Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway System reaches the most im- 







\ ! wi ■ 


■ y*M'^ 







Live Oaks and Spanish Moss, South Texas. 

portant cities and towns in the State. It follows that it traverses 
the most productive section, as the wealth and growth of these 
cities depend upon the prosperity of the country surrounding them. 

Soil- 
Texas has a great variety of soil of wonderful fertility. Land 
which has been under continuous cultivation for many years does 



not show any appreciable loss in productiveness, but yields, in 
crops, as much per acre as it did when first planted. The principal 
soils are classified as black waxy, black sandy loam, red sandy, 
and alluvial lands of the river bottoms. The black waxy soil, so 
called from its color and adhesiveness, is the richest and most 
durable. It constitutes a large percentage of the prairie section, 
and is best adapted for the growth of grain and cotton. One of the 
largest and richest bodies of black prairie land in the world extends 
from the Red River, in North Texas, in an irregular shape, a dis- 
tance of nearly four hundred miles to the south, varying in width 
(approximately one hundred miles), embracing nearly twenty-six 
counties. 

The prairie soil of South Texas is best adapted for the growth 
of rice and cotton, fruits and vegetables. During the past few years 




Vineyard and Garden, North Texas. 



the cultivation of rice has developed on a very large scale, and is 
proving a most profitable crop. 

The sandy loam soil of the timber belt of East Texas is best 
adapted for fruit culture, containing the proper element of soil 
fertility necessary to fruit development. There are splendid oppor- 
tunities in the line of orchard and truck farming. 

The alluvial soil of the river bottoms produces large crops of 
cotton and corn in the north section. The bottom lands of the v 
Trinity, Brazos and Colorado rivers, in the southern section, are 
the best sugar-producing lands in the United States. 

Texas has a greater acreage of sugar lands than all other 
Southern States combined. It is not extravagant to say that Texas 

10 



has a larger body of virgin soil, never touched by the plow, than all 
other Southern States. 

Texas has such a large variety and range of soil, together with 
favorable climatic conditions, adapted to the raising of such a 
variety of agricultural products, that it is difficult to enlarge upon 
them without tiring the reader. In North and Central Texas, cotton, 
corn, wheat and oats grow side by side. In South Texas, sugar cane, 
rice, broom corn, and every variety of fruit and vegetables, are 
profitably grown. 

Farm Work can be Carried On Every Month in the Year. 

Unlike other sections of the country, the Texas farmer can 
utilize every month in the year for planting, cultivating and har- 
vesting. Wheat is planted from September 1st to December 20th, 




Harvesting in May in Central Texas. 



and harvested during May. It is pastured during the winter months, 
which pays for the planting and harvesting. Corn is planted in 
February and March, oats in October, and cotton in April, May 
and June. 

Educational and Religious Facilities. 

Education in Texas is represented by a great number of high- 
grade schools and colleges. 

The State has the largest permanent free school fund of any 
State in the Union, something over $44,800,000; of this amount, over 
$22,200,000 is in cash, bonds and land notes; the balance of the 
fund is in lands. 

The State distributes annually $5.00 for each school child, while 
the average for the United States is but $1.35 per capita. 

11 




1 — Creamery. 2 — Class-room. 3 — One of the Main Buildings. 

4 — Cattle Barn. 5 — Cutting Sorghum. 



The total amount expended for schools for 1901 amounted to 
nearly four and a half million dollars, an increase over the amount 
expended during 1900 of $462,043. In addition to this vast sum, 
each city and county has a special school tax that increases this 
amount very considerably. 

Separate schools are maintained for white and colored scholars. 
The State School Superintendent's Report, November, 1901, 
shows : 

The number of State schools 12,092 

The number of teachers employed 14,814 

The number of school children 739,400 

Amount paid teachers $3,866,454.00 

Amount expended for schools $4,469,015.00 

Value of school property $9,166,550.00 

Higher Institutions of Learning. 

The Universities and Colleges of the State are fine institutions, 
with expensive buildings and attractive grounds, all doing excellent 
work, and having a large enrollment. Among these are: 
The State University, located at Austin. 
Agricultural and Mechanical College, at College Station. 
State Medical College, at Galveston. 
North Texas Normal, at Denton. 
Southwest Texas Normal, at San Marcos. 
Besides these, there are fifty-six denominational private schools 
and colleges in the State, having an attendance of over 12,000 pupils, 
with building's and grounds valued at $2,250,000. 

From an educational, social and religious standpoint, Texas 
compares favorably with any of the older settled States. The 
religious denominations are represented in every community, and 
all the cities and towns have many handsome and expensive church 
edifices. 

THE WEALTH OF TEXAS. 
Assessed Values. 

The total property assessed in the State for 1900 amounted to 
$946,320,258, as compared with $782,111,883 for 1890, showing a re : 
markable increase of over $164,000,000. 

Taxes. 

Texas has the lowest rate of taxes of any State in the Union, 
the State taxes being only thirty-four and two-thirds cents on each 
one hundred dollars' valuation; all property is assessed at about 
one-fourth of its value. 

13 



State Treasurer's Report, September, 1901, Shows: 

Cash, bonds and securities on hand aggregate $43,026,400. 

Texas' Public Buildings and Grounds 

Are valued at $11,608,500. The State Capitol, built of Texas 
granite, at a cost of over $3,000,000, is a handsome and imposing 
building. It is the seventh building in size in the world. 

Texas Banks — Texas Leads In New National Banks. 

The Comptroller's report shows that from March 14, 1900, to 
March 31, 1902, there were one hundred and nineteen new National 
banks organized in Texas. 

Texas has altogether 501 banks, with deposits (statement, Octo- 
ber 14, 1901) amounting to $211,489,460; being $70 for each man, 




ruafiATYfLYER 






"The Katy Flyer." The Crack Train of Texas. 



woman and child in the State. A very flattering showing, although 
at the time, this statement was made the State was in the midst 
of the marketing season, when the reserve of the banks was in 
active use, moving the large cotton, grain and other crops. 

Railroads. 

Texas now has the best of railroad facilities. In 1870 there 
were only 200 miles of railroad in the State, while in 1902 there 
are over forty lines operating over 11,500 miles of road. In order 
to tap the rich agricultural regions of Texas, the railroads have 

14 



penetrated the country in every direction until the great common- 
wealth is checkered with railroads. 

For the past two years Texas has led every other State in 
the number of miles of new roads constructed. 
Markets. 

Besides the best of home markets, Texas is brought, by rail, 
in close touch with all Northern and Eastern markets, while 
through the several deep water ports Texas products find their 
way all over the world. The proximity of the world's markets 
materially increases the value of Texas products. As for example: 
Wheat sells for more than wheat grown in the Northern and Western 
States. This holds good of the majority of the varied products. 

Manufacturing and Industrial. 

With its vast products of raw material, large deposits of 
nearly pure iron ore, large tracts of fine merchantable timber, and 
the vast quantities of oil, affording the cheapest fuel in the world, 




Cotton Seed Oil Mill. 



the exceptional shipping facilities by which the manufactured goods 
of Texas reach all the markets of the world, the Empire State of 
Texas is destined to become at an early date the field of the 
greatest industrial activity ever witnessed in the history of the 
country. 

Census Bulletin, Showing Texas' Marvelous Advance in Manufac- 
tures in Ten Years — The Number of Industries Doubled — Manu- 
facturing Capital Increased Almost 100 Per Cent. 

Washington, Jan. 7. — The manufacturing industries of Texas, 
according to the census preliminary report for 1900, issued today, 
have an aggregate capital of $90,433,882, an increase of 93 per cent; 
and total product, including custom and repairing, valued at $119,- 
414,982, an increase of almost 70 per cent. 

15 



The number of establishments is 12,289; average number of 
wage-earners, 48,152; total wages, $20,552,355. The aggregate mis- 
cellaneous expenses were $6,144,924, and the total cost of materials 
used $67,102,769. 

There was an increase of 7,000 in the number of establishments, 
nearly $40,000,000 in the amount of capital invested, nearly 14,000 
in the number of wage-earners, $41,000,000 increase in the cost of 
materials used, and nearly $50,000,000 increase in the value of 
products. 

While Texas by no means boasts of being a manufacturing 
State, her chief strength and glory being the vast product of raw 
materials, at the same time she is far and away ahead of any 
Southern State in manufacturing, and purposes within a decade 
to take high rank among the great manufacturing States of the 
North. States like North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, 
famed as manufacturing States, are away behind Texas in the 

number of establishments, cap- 
ital invested, cost of material, 
and the value of output. 

Timber. 

The total wooded area of 
Texas is 64,000 square miles, 
or 40,960,000 acres, being twen- 
ty-four per cent of the total 
area. 

The eastern portion of Texas 
is a true forest region, covered 
with dense and almost continu- 
ous growth over an area whose 
extension north and south is 
about 300 miles, and whose 
maximum width is 150 miles. 
It is a dense pine forest, inter- 
mingled with a great variety 
of other woods, including oak, 
hickory, walnut, pecan, maple, 
gum and magnolia. These forests, owing to the density of 
growth, size and quality of the trees, are very valuable. It is 
estimated that in the forest region there are some seventy billion 
feet of standing timber. Texas has some of the largest and best 
equipped saw mills in the country. 




Long Leaf Pine. 



16 



Cotton Factories. 

The manufacture of cotton goods is rapidly increasing in Texas, 
and has been found very profitable; the raw material being fur- 
nished much cheaper (about $8.00 per bale) than it can be shipped 
East and manufactured. There are already factories located at 
Denison, Sherman, Dallas, Waxahachie, Itaska, West, Bonham, Hills- 
boro, Corsicana, Cuero, Gonzales, Galveston, Tyler and Waco, rep- 
resenting an investment of several million dollars of home capital, 
and giving employment to a large number of people. The products 
of these mills find a ready market throughout Europe and the 
United States. 

Flouring Mills. 

Texas has one hundred and thirty flouring mills, with a daily 
capacity exceeding 24,000 barrels. Flour made from Texas wheat 
is of superior quality, and is in demand for export, as it is better for 
sea handling than any other. 



HISTORY OF TEXAS OIL FIELD. 



I 



T has been known for many years that oil existed in Southeast 
Texas. Tests resulted in proving the existence of oil long 
before Captain Lucas began drilling on Spindle Top Heights. 



The Well that Made Texas Famous. 

January 10, 1901, at 10:30 a. m., the well that made the Texas 
oil field famous burst forth in a volume of water, sand, rocks, gas 
and oil, that sped upwards with such tremendous force as to de- 
molish M;he derrick, and scatter timbers and well-casing hundreds 
of feet in all directions. 

When finally controlled, it was shooting a tower of thick, black 
oil quite two hundred feet in the air, and spouting in wanton waste 
seventy thousand barrels of oil per day. 

Report of the United States Geological Survey on the Texas Oil 
Field. 

Robert T. Hill, petroleum expert of the United States Geological 
Survey, in his report on the Texas oil field, says* 

"The successful completion of a well on January 10, 1901, by 
Capt. A. F. Lucas, near Beaumont, Texas, whereby an enormous 
flow of oil, estimated at 75,000 barrels a day, was obtained, marked 
a most important economic discovery and initiated the successful 

17 



exploitation of a new and practically unknown oil field of the 
United States. 

"The first seven wells opened at Beaumont will alone produce 
over 90,000,000 barrels a year, or one and one-half times as much 
as the Russian oil field. The vast quantity of oil so far known ex- 
ceeds that of any other oil field ever discovered. 

"The fact is established that there is an oil lake at that one 
point, which is anyway forty feet deep. After oil was struck, the 
borers permitted the pipe to sink until it struck bottom, which it did 
at a depth of forty feet. 

"Oil will be found in many places throughout the coastal prairie, 
especially in the southern extension. There is no doubt that the 
source of the Beaumont oil is in the tertiary strata, which outcrop 
in the interior and throughout East Texas timber region. The oil 
will be found at increasing depths at the rate of about seven to ten 
feet per mile along a line drawn from Beaumont to Oil City, in 
Southern Nacogdoches County. 

"The importance of this oil field is far greater than at present 
can be described. It means not only a cheap fuel supply to the 

largest State in the 
Union, but, owing to its 
proximity to tide water, 
it is suggestive of pos- 
sibilities of an export 
trade such as now ex- 
ists nowhere else in 
this or any other coun- 
try. 

"The discovery of oil 
in the Beaumont dis- 
trict is to Texas the 
dawning of an era 
teeming with magnifi- 
cent possibilities. With 
her vast domain of iron ore, 40,000,000 acres of pine, cypress, wal- 
nut, oak and cedar; annual agricultural products worth $200,000,000; 
hogs, cattle and sheep, and with the strong arms and brave hearts 
of her unterrified citizenship, Texas is ready at one bound to take 
her rightful place at the head of the great sisterhood of American 
States. Let the problem of cheap fuel be permanently solved, and 
on her hillsides and on her valleys will be found factories and mills 
yielding products as varied as are her boundless resources, and 




Union Station, Galveston, Texas. 



II 



within her limits the elements of prosperity will be so mingled that 
her greatness will be the greatness of an empire, and her strength 
the strength of an industrious people." 



RICE CROWING IN SOUTH TEXAS. 



NEARLY all of the Gulf Coast country of Texas is adapted for 
rice growing. The large prairies are easily put into culti- 
vation. The water supply from canals, artesian and surface 
wells makes rice a most profitable crop. One man with four good 
horses can handle from 100 to 150 acres. $10.00 per acre covers ex- 
penses. The average yield is twelve barrels per acre, worth $3.00 
per barrel, making a net profit of $26.00 per acre. 

The rice industry has developed rapidly during the past few 
years, the crop for the past season of 1901 being 700,000 barrels, 
valued at $2,100,000. 

Cultivation. 

It is an erroneous impression that marsh or swamp land is best 
for rice growing. On the other hand, it is best to have high, smooth, 
well drained land. The land is plowed as for wheat or oats, 
with an ordinary 
sulky or gang 
plow; the sod cut 
with a disc harrow, 
and sown with about 
one-third of a barrel 
of rice to the acre, 
with press drills. 
The land must be as 
dry for sowing as 
any wheat land. 
Levees are made 
around twenty or 
forty acre fields, to 
hold the water. These are simply constructed by plowing along the 
levee line about twelve furrows wide, the dirt being thrown up to 
the middle with a scraper about one foot above the level of the land. 
The levee lines should be so staked out that there is no more than 




Threshing. 



19 



three inches of fall from levee to levee, so that if the water is three 
inches deep at the upper end of the field, it will not be more than 
six inches at the lower end. 

When the rice has grown about six inches high, water is turned 
on it, and the field kept flooded for sixty or seventy days. When 
the rice is ready to be harvested, the water is drained off. It is 
harvested, staked and threshed in the same manner as wheat. 

Rice is planted in March and April and harvested from July to 
October. 

Austin, Tex., December 20. — The records of the Secretary of 
State's office show that during the year 1901 there were twenty-two 
companies organized in Texas for the purpose of growing rice on an 
extensive scale. The capital stock of these companies aggregates 

$1,972,000. In addition 
to these companies, 
there were two com- 
panies organized, each 
with a capital stock of 
$50,000, for the purpose 
of milling rice. Many 
of the companies which 
have been formed dur- 
ing the past few weeks 
for the purpose of grow- 
ing rice will not begin 
active operations until 
next season. It is esti- 
mated the rice acreage 
in Texas will be more than trebled next year. In addition to the 
corporations which have gone into the rice-growing business, a 
large amount of private capital has been invested in that industry. 
A number of companies which were organized primarily for the 
purpose of developing oil on lands in East Texas, will also cultivate 
rice. None of these companies are embraced in the above list. 

Rice an Advantageous Crop. 

There is no crop in the growing of which improved implements 
can be used to so great advantage as rice. The land is, to begin 
with, free from obstructions, uniform in texture and nearly level. 
In preparing the land, plows and harrows of greatest capacity can 
be used. Planting can be done with the greatest rapidity. This 
done, there is nothing but the flooding requiring attention until the 
harvest, when more rapid working machinery may be used. But 




Harvest. 



20 



suppose the case of a man being unable to buy costly implements, 
and the heavy teams required to draw them. Here the natural 
characteristics of the rice plant come to the rescue, and the farmer 
can prepare his land, and plant his crop, with the cheapest tools and 
a good pair of horses or mules. The farmer may begin the prepara- 
tion of his land early in the winter, and have four or five months to 
do the work. He can begin his planting in April, and have full three 
months to get his seed in the ground. When the crop begins to 
ripen, he can cut the entire crop with the cradle. He will have full 
three months to do it in, for the rice will ripen in the order of 
planting, and nearly as slowly. One man, with tools and teams, can 
handle all the land he can plow and harrow, and plant within the 
time specified. Therefore, we conclude that there is no staple crop 
wherein one man can make as much money as in growing rice, if 
he has the land, the teams and tools, and industry. 




Threshing Rice, South Texas. 



21 



DEVELOPMENT OF FRUIT CROWING IN TEXAS. 



Item by T. V. Munson, of Denison, Texas, one of the Leading 
Horticulturists of the United States. 

IT used to be said "Fruit cannot be grown in Texas." Persistent 
experimenting has developed that a large variety of peaches, 
plums, apples, grapes, strawberries and blackberries, are suc- 
cessfully produced. 

The most successful varieties in the market today are those 
originated in Texas in recent years. It is only necessary to mention 
the following: Strawberries, the Parker-Earl, the Michel, Lady 

Thompson, the Splendid, and 
Hoffman; Blackberries, the Dal- 
las, Robinson, Mayes, Dew- 
berry; Grapes, the Headlight, 
Brilliant, Rommel, Beacon, Wa- 
pannka, Manito, Carmen, Gold 
Coin, Capitan, Claeta, Muench, 
Lauessel, Fern, Marguerite, 
Augusta, Kiowa. Of plums, 
there are several of the Japa- 
nese kinds, and hybrids with 
natives, such as Gonzales, Clif- 
ford, Wotan, Whittaker. Of peaches, there are the Sneed, Ray, 
Mamie Ross, Texas King, Carman Family Favorite, Elberta, Superb, 
the Bequet Free. Of apples, Red June, Summer Queen, American 
Summer, Mrs. Bryan, Jonathan, Ben Davis, Gano, Kinnaird, Shirley, 
Texas Red, and others. 

• ^jg 




Apple Orch 



North Texas. 



Fruit growers are en- 
abled to begin shipping 
strawberries and vegetables 
from South Texas in March, 
from North Texas in April, 
followed up with blackber- 
ries, plums, peaches, apples 
and grapes until October, be- 
sides supplying the local mar- 
kets during the entire season. 

The experimental stage 
of commercial fruit growing 

has passed in Texas: the business has assumed a commercial char- 
acter. Within the past few years fruit and truck growers' associa- 




Strawberry Patch. 



22 



tions have been organized and chartered, with officers who make 
arrangements for shipping and marketing in the northern cities. 
Train loads of melons, vegetables and fruits, shipped northward, 
bring profitable returns. The Texas product rates first quality and 

commands the best prices. 
There is splendid opportunity 
in Texas for profitable invest- 
ment in horticultural pur- 
suits. 




The Famous El Berta Peaches. 



Fruit Culture in East Texas. 

Fruit growers agree that 
East Texas is truly the 
"Fruit Belt." The red soil 
and the sandy loam soil, with 
deep clay sub-soil, are spe- 
cially adapted for peach cul- 
ture. Peaches grown on 
them are perfectly colored, 

rivaling the famous fruits of Delaware, Maryland and California in 

size and in quality. 

There is great opportunity for orchard planting and vegetable 

growing for commercial purposes. Fruits and vegetables ripen 

from four to six weeks 

earlier than in most any 

other section. Being with- 
in easy reach of northern 

markets, they find ready 

sale and top prices. 

Five years ago truck 

and fruit growing in Texas 

was of no consequence. In 

1900 there were 6,500 cars 

of truck and fruit shipped 

out of Texas, yielding $1,- 

787,500 for this crop alone. 

More than 48,000 acres are 

in cultivation this year 

(1902), being less than one per cent of what Texas can profitably 

grow. 

At Pittsburg, Texas. 

Members of the Fruit and Truck Growers' Association are pre- 
paring to plant a larger acreage in fruits and vegetables than ever 

23 





- __ _ 










' * X" 




- : . / 


3^ - _ !* 




L'' 




'/< ; ' ■- 



Loading Watermelons. 



before. The Association has purchased 75,000 peach trees to plant 
on 750 acres of land; they will also plant 100 acres in tomatoes, 100 
acres in Irish potatoes, and 100 acres in cantaloupes. 

What Is Thought of the "East Texas" Country for Fruit Growing. 
Prof. T. V. Munson, the Grape Specialist, of Denison, says: 




Picking Peaches. 

"The soil throughout that section is just what the fruit growers 

need to grow the finest character of fruits." 

Prof. F. W. Mally, State Entomologist and ex-President of the 

Texas State Horticultural Society, says: "No section in the country 

presents such a rich and fertile soil, a soil so well adapted to the 

growing of fruits and vegetables." 

Mr. J. S. Kerr, Fruit Grower, of Sherman, says: "The red land 

belt of East Texas cannot be excelled for peaches. The specimens 

exhibited at the State meeting 
last July were as fine as I ever 
saw from any country." 

Mr. E. W. Kirkpatrick, of 
the McKinney Nursery Com- 
pany, says: "Too much cannot 
be said of that section as a 
fruit and vegetable country. 
The soils and topography are 
all that heart could wish. I 
regret that I did not discover 
this country earlier. Yes, sir, 

for fruit growing it is a veritable paradise." 

Mr. E. P. Stiles, ex-President of the Texas Horticultural Society, 

and a large fruit grower, says: "The country will grow as fine fruits 



* 




Cabbages are Profitably Grown. 



24 



as any country on earth. I was surprised at its richness and gen- 
eral topography." 

Prof. J. H. Connell, Director Texas Experimental Station, says: 
"These soils cannot be excelled for fruit and truck growing, and 1 
feel sure their adaptability to these crops will soon be generally 
understood." 

Prof. B. C. Pittuck, Assistant Professor of Agriculture of the 
Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College, says: "This section 
throughout is a fine fruit country, and orchard planting will some 
day take hold of the people." 



The Following Reports, Furnished by the United States Department 

of Agriculture, Show the Immense Wealth of Texas and 

the Wonderful Possibilities of the Future. 




Texas Herefords. 

LIVE STOCK FOR THE YEAR ENDING JANUARY 1, 1901: 

Beef Cattle, 

Including all except milch cows. Texas leads all other States 
in number of head and total valuation. 

For the year ending January 1, 1901 4,887,795 

Valued at $85,510,022 

Thus Texas owns one-sixth of the total number of cattle in the 
United States, worth one-ninth of the valuation. 

Value of beef cattle marketed (1900), $30,000,000. 

25 



Milch Cows. 



For the year ending January 1, 1901 763,173 

Valued at $19,270,127 




•* 



Milch Cows. 



The value of the milk and butter consumed at home and mar- 
keted, $18,732,338. 

Swine. 

2,418,032 head, valued at $11,256,020 

804,508 head marketed and consumed at 

home 6,838,318 

Sheep. 

2,657,393 head, valued at $5,097,469 

Wool, 7,972,178 pounds, valued at $1,195,826 

Mutton 1,972,179 

Annual total production. $3,168,005 

As a sheep-producing State, Texas ranks seventh. 

Horses and Mules, to January 1, 1901. 

1,238,209 horses, valued at $25,858,147 

286,618 mules, valued at 10,082,645 

1,524,827 head, valued at $35,940,792 

Jacks and Jennets. 

14,565 head, valued at $402,168 

Texas owns one-twelfth of all the horses and one-eighth of all 
the mules in the United States. 

26 



Recapitulation. A (o 

Number of Head. Value. 

4,887,795 cattle $ 85,510,022 

763,173 milch cows 19,270,127 

2,418,032 hogs 11,256,020 

2,657,393 sheep 5,097,469 

1,238,209 horses 25,858,147 

286,618 mules 10,082,645 

14,565 jacks and jennets 402,170 

12,265,785 total farm animals $157,476,600 

Total annual production for 1900, $58,732,338, sold and consumed 
(does not include horses and mules). 

Texas ranks highest in number of farm animals, producing more 
cattle and horses than any other State. While the average value of 




the live stock is not as high as in some States, the stock is being 
graded up and will soon be among the first in quality as well as 
quantity. Stock is raised at a very small expense compared with 
the cost in the Northern States, very little feeding being required 
during the short winter. 

For the year ending January 1, 1901, Texas had 

One-sixth of all the cattle in the United States. 

One-eighth of all the mules in the United States. 

One-twelfth of all the horses in the United States. 

One-eighteenth of all the hogs in the United States. 

One-nineteenth of all the sheep in the United States. 

One-twentieth of all the milch cows in the United -States. 



FARM PRODUCTS FOR 1900— GOVERNMENT REPORT. 
Cotton Production for the year 1900. 

The cotton crop of 1900 shows an increase of 1,046,738 bales 
over 1899. The crop of 1900 was more than one-third of the cotton 

27 



raised in the United States and one-fourth of the total grown in the 
world. 

7,040,848 acres, producing 

3,536,506 bales, valued at $159,148,770 

1,768,253 tons of cotton seed, of which (esti- 
mated) 1,000,000 tons were man- 
ufactured into oil, producing 

37,000,000 gallons, valued at 12,950,000 

Other products 7,500,000 

Total value of cotton crop for 1900 $179,598,770 




Picking Cotton. 
Corn, 1900. 

4,553,495 acres, producing 

81,962,210 bushels, valued at $38,522,568 

Wheat, 1900. 

1,271,517 acres, producing 

23,395,913 bushels, valued at $14,973,384 




Marketing Oats. 

28 



Oats, 1900. 

744,164 acres, producing 
28,278,232 bushels, valued at $8,483,470 

Rye, 1900. 

3,917 acres, producing 
64,630 bushels, valued at $43,302 

Barley, 1900. 

2,049 acres, producing 
50,504 bushels, valued at $36,292 

A WONDERFUL TOTAL. 

Total acreage in cultivation, 1900 18,060,421 

Total value of farm products $274,947,051 

Production of farm animals for 1900 58,732,338 



Total value of farm products for 1900 $333,679,389 

This is one-twelfth of the total wealth produced on the farms 
in the United States for 1900, being nearly one hundred dollars for 
each man, woman and child, while the average for the United States 
for 1900 is less than fifty dollars per capita. 

Hay, 1900. 

304,933 acres, producing 

548,879 tons, valued at $3,732,377 

Rice, 1900. 

125,000 acres, producing 
1,250,000 barrels, valued at $3,750,000 




Corn Scene. 

Fruits, Vegetables, Sugar, Tobacco and other products. 

1,000,000 acres, producing products valued at $25,000,000 

29 



Potatoes, 1900. 

14,798 acres, producing 
916,918 bushels, valued at. 







duction 



Profit in Potato Raising — One 
Texas Farmer Made $880 
on Seven Acres. 

That there is money to 
be made outside of cotton 
raising in Texas has been 
clearly demonstrated in thou- 
sands of instances. J. B. 
Richardson, a tenant on the 
Randolph farm just south- 
west of Sherman, this year 
gathered 1100 bushels of 
Irish potatoes from seven 
acres of land, which he sold 
at 80c per bushel, aggregat- 
ing $880, or about $125 per 
acre. On one acre he got 
237 bushels. He used no fer- 
tilizer on any of the land, 
and attributes the large pro- 
on the especially prolific acre to its excellent drainage. 





A Bountiful Harvest. 

30 



HOW TEXAS IS SUBDIVIDED. 

For descriptive convenience, Texas has, by general custom, been 
divided geographically into five sections — Northern, Central, South- 
ern, Eastern, and Western Texas. By referring to the sectional 
map, it will be seen that these different sections are outlined as 
above described. A description of each of the forty-eight counties ' 
traversed by the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway is given. 

The crop reports have been compiled from statistics furnished 
by the United States Department of Agriculture, the Texas Agri- 
cultural Department, and from County Records. 

A comparison of the assessed valuations and the live stock re- 
ports for the years 1895 and 1900, gives a good idea of the rapid 
development. The decrease shown in number of live stock in 
some counties is accounted for by the pasture lands being put 
under cultivation and the replacing of the larger herds with graded 
stock of greater value. 




Union Station, St. Louis. 
31 



THE MISSOURI, KANSAS & TEXAS RAILWAY. 



ITS RELATION TO THE STATE OF TEXAS. 



THE MISSOURI, KANSAS & TEXAS RAILWAY SYSTEM, 
with more than twelve hundred (1200) miles of line in Texas, 
reaches, with its own rails, the more important cities and 

towns of forty counties in the State. Its main line in Texas is from 

Denison to Galveston, with branches to Wichita Falls, San Antonio, 

Mineola, and to Shreve- 
port, La. At Denison it 
connects with the main 
line from St. Louis, 
Hannibal and Kansas 
City, Mo. It has ex- 
cellent passenger and 
freight train service, 
and offers the most con- 
venient route for the 
traveler or homeseeker 
enroute to or from 
Texas. The Missouri, 
Kansas & Texas Rail- 
way is and has been for 
years an important fac- 
tor in the upbuilding of 

Texas, and the Texan points with pride to the "Katy" as one of the 

solid institutions of the State. 




One of the "Katy" Dining-rooms. 



"THE KATY" DINING STATIONS. 

First-Class Service. 

The Dining Stations on this line at Sedalia, Nevada, Parsons, 
South McAlester, Muskogee, Denison, Dallas, Hillsboro and Smith- 
ville, are the property of the Company, and are under the imme- 
diate supervision of Mr. F. E. Miller, Superintendent of Dining 
Service. These dining stations are not operated for profit. No 
expense is spared to supply the tables with all the delicacies of the 
season, prepared by "chefs" of acknowledged ability and experience. 



32 



NORTH TEXAS. 



"THE RED RIVER COUNTIES. 



-\ 



Grayson, Fannin, Cooke, Montague, Clay and Wichita Counties 
are located on the northern border along Red River. The general 
surface is rolling, with wide level valleys along the numerous 
streams. The bottom lands along the Wichita and Red rivers and 
their tributaries are well wooded, with walnut, bois d'arc, elm 
^-— -^ and pecan, while in the eastern 

S \ counties of this group, notably 

in Fannin and Grayson Counties, 
are large tracts of hickory and 
oak. 

The soil is admirably adapt- 
ed to agriculture, and all stand- 
ard grains and vegetables are 
grown profitably. In the bottom 
lands along the streams the soil 
is a deep black loam. In other 
localities it is of black sandy, 
chocolate and sandy loam. In 
the central and southern parts 
of Fannin, Grayson and Cooke 
Counties, the soil is principally 
what is known as the black 
waxy soil, a soil that is rich 
and productive and capable of 
the most trying cultivation. 

These counties are well 
watered by numerous streams, 
by wells, at depths from 25 to 50 
feet, and artesian wells from 600 to 800 feet in depth. 

Fannin, Grayson and Cooke Counties are noted for their enor- 
mous crops of small grain, cotton, corn, oats and hay (alfalfa is also 
grown very successfully), and fine stock (the hog industry is large), 
while Clay and Wichita Counties are noted for their large wheat 
and oat crops, and the big cattle interests. 




Realization. 



34 



COUNTY ASSESSOR'S REPORT. 



COUNTY 


ASSESSED 
VALUATIONS 


TAXES 


LIVE STOCK 




1895 


1900 


1895 


1 900 


No. of Head 

1895 1900 


VALUE 
1895 1900 


Cooke 

Montague . . . 

Clay 

Wichita 


$10,049,775 
17,118,025 
7,858,120 
3,897,000 
4,603,598 
4,299,000 


$10,890,345 
19,597,702 
8,573,030 
6,718,930 
4,940.319 
3,469,430 


$ 99,864 
*67,089 
83,146 
46,931 
46,251 
40,196 


$101,997 
182,665 
82,247 
62,335 
58,206 
42,225 


71,479 
23,823 
56,883 
68,963 
62,450 
12,584 


73,839 
89.871 
68,046 
77,200 
67,326 
25,718 


$828,080 
88,841 
526,900 
114,410 
619,160 
145,545 


$ 914.460 

1,408,645 

818,570 

1,081,863 

779,260 

377,070 



GOVERNMENT CROP REPORT, 1900. 



COUNTY 


COTTON 


CORN 


WHEAT 
AND OATS 


Fruits, 
Vegeta- 
bles and 

Other 
Products 


Total 
Value of 




Bales 


Seed, 
Tons 


Value 


Bushels 


Value 


Bushels Value 


Products 


Fannin 

Grayson . . . 

Cooke 

Montague . 
Clay 


101,027 

63,430 

18,751 

31,483 

7,760 


50,514 
31,715 
9,376 
17,214 

3,830 


1 

$5,152,383 

3,224,930 

956,307 

1,758,900 

395,760 


3,100,000 

2,750,000 

2,010,000 

75,000 

100,000 

100,000 


$620,000 
400,000' 
714,000 
30,000 
40,000 
50,000 


641,700 

3,250,000 

2,375,000 

250,000 

815,000 

3,200,000 


$ 108,755 

1,437,500 

881,250 

125,000 

377,500 

1,700,000 


$365,000 
437,600 
401,100 
120,000 
167,750 
140,000 


$6,246,138 
6,400,030 
2,952,660 
2,033,900 
981,210 
1,833,600 














35 



GRAYSON COUNTY. 




Area and Population. 

This county, organized in 1846, has an area of 613,708 acres, of 
which 409,000 acres are in cultivation. The soil is very productive 

-_ and has been brought to a 

high state of cultivation. 
. f- _^. The county has a population 

(1900) of 63,661, an increase 
of 10,450 over the census of 
1890. 

Schools and Churches. 

There are 152 public 
schools and colleges, receiv- 
ing from the State school 
fund the sum of $69,750, ex- 
Corn, elusive of the appropriations 
allotted to the city schools 
for their support. There are 125 churches of leading denominations, 
with handsome and expensive edifices, in Denison, Sherman and 
other towns in the county. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated at $20 to $50 per acre; unimproved 
lands $10 to $25 per acre, according to quality, improvements and 
location, and may be bought on favorable terms. 

Banks. 

There are fourteen banks in the county, with deposits of over 
$4,797,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway and several other lines 
traverse the county, affording easy access and the best of shipping 
facilities. 

Towns and Cities. 

The principal towns and cities located on the Missouri, Kansas 
& Texas Railway are: 

DENISON, the northern gateway to Texas, is located three miles 
south of Red River. It is a modernly built, attractive city of 12,000 
inhabitants, with good waterworks system, electric car lines, sev- 
eral large wholesale houses, an ice factory, a cotton mill, cotton gins. 
At Denison are located the large shops of the Missouri, Kansas & 



37 




Cultivating Cotton. 



Texas Railway, with a monthly pay-roll exceeding $100,000; several 
foundries, flouring, planing and knitting mills. In addition to the 

exceptional railway facilities, 
there is coal, ore and raw 
material of various kinds 
near at hand, which offer the 
most favorable inducements 
for the location of manufac- 
turing plants. 

The church and school 
facilities are of the best, the 
city having ten large brick school buildings and over thirty church 
organizations. 

SHERMAN, the county seat, is an important lumber, grain and 
cotton center, with a population of 11,500. Sherman, one of the 
important educational centers of the State, has nine colleges and a 
fine system of public schools. The city has a system of electric 
street railways, connecting the city with Denison. The water sup- 
ply is obtained from numerous artesian wells. 

The industrial enterprises consist of five wholesale houses, two 
cotton seed oil mills (one the largest in the world), two oil refin- 
eries, three large flouring mills, a cotton mill, several pressed brick 
plants, a packing house, several planing mills, two ice factories, two 
collar factories, one broom and three cigar factories, all doing 
a profitable business. 

Other Towns in the County, 

Whitewright, with a population of 3,000; Van Alstyne, 3,000; 
Whitesboro, 2,500; Collinsville, 1,000; Tioga, 750; Pottsboro, 500; 
Bells, 500; Sadler, 200, are all prosperous and thriving towns, with 
good schools and churches. They are located in a rich farming and 
stock country, with the best of railway facilities. 

Tioga has natural mineral springs, the waters of which possess 
wonderful curative properties. 




Dairy near Denison. 
39 




1 — Residence. 

2 — Business Block. 

3— Cotton Mill. 



4 — Fannin County Court House. 
5 — One of the Many Churches. 



FANNIN COUNTY. 




Fannin County Cattle. 



Area and Population. 

A Red River county, organized 
in 1838. Contains 570,240 acres 
with nearly 380,000 acres under 
cultivation, producing very large 
crops of cotton, corn, wheat and 
oats; fruits of all kinds do well. The fine stock interests are 
growing rapidly. The population is 51,793 (1900), an increase of 
13,000 over the previous census. 

Schools and Churches. 

The schools are high grade, receiving from the State $4.75 for 
each school child. There are a number of colleges and business 
schools. All the religious denominations are represented, with 
many fine church buildings. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated $25 to $50 per acre; unimproved lands 
$15 to $30 per acre. 
Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway has recently extended 
its line from Denison to Bonham, the county seat, and in connection 
with one other line affords good transportation facilities. 

Towns and Cities. 

BONHAM, the county seat, is a progressive business city of 
6,500 inhabitants. Grain, cotton and live stock shipments are large. 




Cotton and Corn 
near Bonham. 

It has a fine system of public schools, a number of colleges, ex- 
pensive churches, and handsome residences. Leading industries 

41 




1 — High School. 
2 — Business Block. 
3 — Sanitarium. 



4— Hotel. 

5 — Flouring Mill and Grain Elevator. 

6 — Cotton Compress. 



are: Flouring mills, an ice factory, cotton seed oil mills, a cotton 
factory, planing mills, several cotton gins, and a furniture factory. 
Bonham is located in the heart of a rich and productive agricultural 
district. 

Other Towns. 

Honey Grove, with a population of 3,500; Ladonia, 200; Ra- 
venna, 200; Leonard, 200, are rapidly growing towns. 



COOKE COUNTY. 




Area and Population. 

This is almost exclusively 
a farm and stock-raising dis- 
trict. The county was or- 
ganized in 1849, and contains 
597,120 acres, of which 300,- 
000 acres are in cultivation. 
A Bountiful Oat Harvest. There are over 2,000 farms 

in the county. The population, as shown by the census of 1900, 
was 27,500. 

Schools and Churches. 

A fine system of 105 public schools receive from the State and 
County fund the sum of $32,053; and in addition, there are several 
colleges and business schools. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated at $20 to $50 per acre; unimproved 
lands from $10 to $25 per acre. 

Banks. 

The three National banks have deposits amounting to $1,124,492. 

Railway Facilities. 

The railroad facilities are good. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas 
Railway traverses the county from east to west. 

Towns and Cities. 

The principal towns and cities located on the Missouri, Kansas 
& Texas Railway are: 

GAINESVILLE, the county seat, an up-to-date city of 8,500 popu- 
lation, located in a rich farm and stock country. It has four large 

43 



flouring mills, cotton seed oil mills, cotton compresses, ice factories, 

foundry and machine shops, and is an important jobbing center, 

with several wholesale grocery, drug, hardware and implement 

houses. The city has fine schools and colleges, and a number of 

handsome churches. 

It is well built and is equipped with waterworks and electric 

lights. 

_ t 

The Other Towns in the County. 

Muenster (population 600) is a very prosperous German settle- 
ment. It is a thriving town, with all lines of business represented. 
This community has recently built a $40,000 church building. Val- 
ley View, with a population of 400; Myra, 300, and Lindsay, 200, all 
have good school and railway facilities, and are surrounded by a 
good farm and stock country. 




Registered Short Horns near Gainesville. 



MONTAGUE COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

The county contains 583,566 acres, of which about 350,000 acres 
are in cultivation. The population (1900) was 25,000, an increase 
over the previous census of 7,000. The county is located in what is 
known as the "Upper Cross Timbers," and is about one-half prairie 
and one-half timber land. There are 4,600 farms in the county. 
The county was organized in 1848. The principal industry is farm- 

44 



ing and stock raising. Considerable attention has been given of 
late to fruit and vegetables, for which the soil, a sandy loam, is 
especially adapted. 

Schools and Churches. 

One hundred and eight schools, with a State school fund of 
$31,050, assure good educational advantages. There are more than 
200 church organizations. 



Cost of Lands. 

Lands are cheap; improved lands costing 
unimproved lands $4 to $6. 



to $20 per acre; 



Banks. 

The county has four banks, with deposits amounting to $800,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway traverses the county 
from east to west, touching the principal towns, and affords ample 
shipping facilities. 

Towns. 

The principal towns are: St. Jo, Ringgold, Nocona, Bowie, 
Bonita, and Montague, the county seat. There are large deposits of 
asphalt near St. Jo, which are rapidly being developed. All the 
towns are well supplied with good business houses. Several cotton 
seed oil mills are scattered throughout the county. 




Sheep Ranch, Montague County. 



46 



CLAY COUNTY. 



Area and Cultivation. 

Organized in 1873, Clay County has a population of 9,231. It 
contains 718,080 acres, 40,000 acres under cultivation in its 800 
farms. This is a fine stock district. Wheat is grown on a large 
scale, and the condition of the farmers and stockmen is flourishing. 

Schools and Churches. 

There are 41 schools, receiving from the State fund $20,807. 
There are 28 church organizations of leading denominations. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are sold at $6 to $20 per acre, and unimproved 
lands $4 to $10 per acre, according to location and quality. 

Banks. 

There are three banks in the county, with deposits amounting 
to $460,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway runs east and west 
through the county, affording good shipping facilities. 

Towns. 

HENRIETTA has a population of 2,000. It is a promising town, 
with good stores, schools and churches, and is quite a cattle and 
grain center. Several other towns in the county are growing rapidly. 




Clay County Wheat Ranch. 

48 




1 — Flouring Mill and Elevator. 

2 — High School. 

3 — Panhandle National Bank. 



4 — City National Bank. 
5 — Victor Flouring Mill. 



WICHITA COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

A county of 376,960 acres area, with 95,000 acres under culti- 
vation. The population is 5,806. This is one of the noted wheat 
and stock counties of North Texas, the soil heing especially adapted 
to the growing of grain. The level surface of the country enables 
one man to handle as much as 400 acres. Wheat growing, with 
stock raising, makes this a very profitable country for the farmer. 
The Red and Wichita River Valleys are fine corn producing lands. 
The county is especially noted for its fine stock. 

Schools and Churches. 

The county has twenty schools, receiving from the school fund 
$17,602 each year. At Wichita Falls is located a fine high school 
building, costing $40,000. The church organizations number twenty- 
six, representing all the leading denominations. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are for sale at $10 to $20 per acre; unimproved 
lands from $4 to $10. 

Banks. 

The county has three banks, with deposits of $640,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway and two other lines 
traverse the county and afford adequate shipping facilities. 

Towns. 

WICHITA FALLS, the county seat, has a population of 2,500. It 
is one of the important towns of this section of the State, and is well 
built, with good business blocks, a $40,000 high school building, fine 
church and school facilities, and handsome residences. 

The industries are: Three large flouring mills, ice factory, a 
large wholesale grocery house and a number of large implement 
houses. The city has recently installed a fine waterworks system, 
in connection with a large irrigation plant, to water more than 
10,000 acres of land contiguous to the town. 

Iowa Park is another good town, surrounded by a good agricul- 
tural country, having good schools, churches and good business 
houses. 

50 



Near Wichita Falls is located the town of GERALDINE, a new 
townsite and colony recently founded by the American Tribune 
Colony Company, of which Mr. P. H. Fitzgerald, of Fitzgerald, 
Georgia, fame, is president. The colony, which is being rapidly 
settled by people from Northern States, contains about 120,000 acres 
of very fertile land. An excellent start has been made, and the 
colony bids fair to become a very important one in a short time. 

The new town is accessible either from Wichita Falls or from 
Holliday. A railroad line direct to the town is contemplated, and 
the rapid growth of Geraldine will make such a line a necessity 
within a short time. A large percentage of the shareholders are 
prosperous farmers from Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, etc. 




H. Specht's Ranch, Wichita County. 



51 



CENTRAL and SOUTHWESTERN TEXAS. 



"THE BLACK LAND COUNTIES." 



The "Black Land Belt," traversed by the Missouri, Kansas & 
Texas Railway, embraces Hunt, Collin, Denton, Tarrant, Rockwall, 
Dallas, Johnson, Ellis, Hill, McLennan, Bell, Williamson, Falls, 
Travis, Caldwell, Hays, Comal and Bexar Counties, the rich prairie 
section of Texas, between the Red River, North Texas, and the Gulf 
Coast counties. 

It is the largest rich body of prairie land in the world. The soil 
is especially adapted for raising corn, cotton, wheat and oats. Com- 
mercial fertilizers, so commonly 



used in the Northern and East- 
ern States, are not used at all. 
These black waxy lands, which 
have been in continuous culti- 
vation for more than thirty-five 
years, are today producing as 
large crops as when first put 
under cultivation. Good water 
is easily obtained, and in the 
towns and cities artesian wells 
furnish the water supply. The 
Brazos and Trinity rivers, and 
several other streams, flow through a number of the counties. The 
river lands are very rich and productive. Considerable timber along 
the streams furnishes an abundance of lumber for local use. 

In addition to the immense quantities of grain and cotton, this 
black land section produces large numbers of hogs and fine stock. 




Wheat Field. 




COUNTY ASSESSOR'S REPORT. 

Showing Increased Values and Live Stock. 



COUNTY 



ASSESSED 
VALUATION 



1895 



TAXES 



1895 1900 



LIVE STOCK 



Xo. of Head, 
1895 1900 



VALUE 
1895 1900 



Hunt 

Collin 

Denton 

Tarrant 

Rockwall . . 

Dallas 

Johnson 

Ellis 

Hill 

McLennan.. 

Falls 

Bell 

Williamson 

Travis 

Caldwell ... 

Hays 

Comal 

Bexar 



5 8,822,725 
10,135,930 

7,546,060 
18,878,786 

1,861,710 
33,326,080 

7,562,600 
12,182,111 
10,447,150 
22,072,755 

7,916,980 
12,462,380 
12,081,420 
13,455,320 

3,752,804 

2,559,560 

2,198,636 
33,173,237 



$ 9,814,435 
13,036,960 

7,721,065 
19,895,250 

2,821,590 
34,097,790 

8,965,650 
14,857,795 
10,801,165 
23,147,161 

8,893,040 
13,050,120 
13,163,220 
13,854,950 

4,645,390 

2,938,400 

2,442,203 
35,183,002 



> 96,262 


$ 99,733 


118,969 


118,693 


85,879 


86,845 


176,405 


210,189 


24,780 


29,456 


356,097 


310,479 


83,740 


92,768 


97,706 


155,826 


124,890 


128,361 


192,846 


207,400 


85,780 


96,085 


118,760 


129,561 


108,021 


110,187 


55,637 


56,440 


34,183 


51,860 


22,120 


38,463 


22,886 


23,647 


395,259 


370,551 



61,747 
89,296 
69,383 
51,564 
12,081 
59,779 
18,159 
47,557 
69,753 
81,500 
53,943 
71,371 
87,495 
75,785 
25,120 
25,977 
18,335 
35,632 



89,689 
103,458 
74,806 
60,643 
17,557 
83,593 
60,221 
82,120 
83,892 
73,692 
55,514 
82,442 
94,610 
51,746 
29,408 
29,138 
19,829 
40,549 



i 621,983 
1,045,123 
715,568 
723,125 
278,315 
917,960 
189,106 
580,561 
1,072,210 
993,631 
664,840 
696,772 
981,345 
624,261 
299,635 
207,855 
141,895 
315,439 



> 853,720 

1,321,340 

707,090 

727,980 

324,730 

1,169,705 

910,468 

1,148,135 

1,246,685 

1,148,579 

791,754 

1,043,505 

1,192,000 

406,785 

417,030 

356,750 

146,460 

398,785 



GOVERNMENT CROP REPORT, 1900. 



COUNTY 




COTTON 


CORN 


WHEAT AND 
OATS 

Bushels Value 


Fruits, Vege- 
tables and 
otherProducts 




RalA« 1 Seed, 
Bales | Tons 


Value 


Bushels Value 


Value 


Hunt 

Collin 

Denton 

Tarrant 

Rockwall 

Dallas 

Johnson 

Ellis 

Hill 

McLennan 

Falls 

Bell 

Williamson . . . 
Travis 


83,752 
70,963 
40,000 
30,868 
22,202 
59,970 
42,790 

126,134 
85,660 
86,447 
61,450 
66,276 

104,761 
71,899 


41,876 
35,482 
23,000 
15,434 
12,000 
29,985 
21,395 
63,070 
42,830 
43,224 
30,725 
33,100 
52,380 
35,950 


$4,271,352 
3,618,119 
1,890,000 
1,574,300 
1,132,300 
3,058,470 
2,182,290 
6,432,840 
4,368,660 
4,508,800 
3,133,950 
3,379,600 
5,342,805 
3,667,000 


3,345,690 
3,750,000 

520,000 
2,121,900 

875,000 
3,200,000 
1,300,000 
1,500,000 
3,000,000 
2,000,000 
1,894,675 
2,100,000 
2,420,000 

870,000 


$1,672,845 

1,500,000 

170,000 

848,700 

340,000 

1,280,000 

520,000 

750,000 

1,200,000 

800,000 

947,330 

840,000 

968,000 

435,000 


670,000 
1,425,000 
2,500,000 

525,000 
1,200,000 
3,400,000 
1,500,000 
1,340,000 
2,000,000 
1,220,000 

223,500 
1,380,000 

280,000 

410,000 


$ 199,000 
637,500 

3,100,000 
185,400 
435,000 

1,175,000 
825,000 
578.000 
850,000 
450,000 
182,500 
690 000 
93,000 
130,000 


$ 463,700 
961,200 
660,900 
442,800 
360,000 

1,038,800 
620,000 

1,065,000 
750,000 
780,500 
340,000 
580,000 
270,000 
610,000 



53 



HUNT COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

This county, organized in 1846, contains 557,715 acres, of which 
446,100 acres are in cultivation. The population in 1900 was 47,295, 
showing an increase of 16,400 over the last census. This is a fine 
farming county, the lands being rich and productive, and the fine 
stock interests are large. There are over 3,700 farms in the county. 

Schools and Churches. 

There are 156 school houses in the county, receiving for their 
support the sum of $68,745. In addition to the public schools there 
are a number of fine colleges and private schools. The churches 
number 80, of the leading denominations. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated $20 to $50 per acre; unimproved lands 
$5 to $15. 

Banks. 

The county has six banks, with deposits amounting to $1,230,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

In addition to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, there are 
six other lines, giving exceptionally good shipping facilities. 

Towns and Cities 

Located on the line of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, are: 



Near Greenville. 

GREENVILLE, the county seat, with a population of 7,500, hav- 
ing a fine system of public schools, also six colleges and normals, 

54 




1 — Cotton Compress. 

2— High School. 

3 — In the Residence District. 



4— M. K. & T. Ry. Depot. 

5 — Flouring Mill and Grain Elevator. 



and several handsome church edifices. It is a well built city, and 
an important business center. Among the leading industries are 
two large cotton seed oil mills, an oil refinery, cotton compresses, a 
cotton mill, four flouring mills, two hardwood factories, and a 
creamery. 

Other Towns. 

Celeste with 2,000, Kingston with 200, Wolfe City with 2,500, 
Commerce with 2,500, and Lone Oak with 1,500 population; all are 
good, industrious towns, in the midst of a rich agricultural country. 



COLLIN COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

The county contains 566,420 acres, of which 550,000 acres are in 
cultivation. The population has increased very rapidly during the 
past few years. In 1900 it was 50,087, an increase over the previous 
census of 13,351. The farm lands are in a high state of cultivation, 
producing large crops of grain, cotton and alfalfa. It is a good stock 
country, shipping large numbers of hogs and cattle annually. 

Schools and Churches. 

It is well supplied with schools and churches, having 160 
schools, employing 225 teachers; receiving for their support $69,348. 
There are in addition to the public schools five high schools, six 
colleges, several business colleges and academies of music. The 
churches are represented by some 200 organizations. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated from $40 to $60 per acre; unimproved 
lands from $12 to $30. 

Banks. 

Eight banks in the county have deposits amounting to $2,050,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway and four other lines 
afford the best of transportation facilities in all directions. 

Towns. 

The county contains a great many small, progressive towns, all 
situated in thickly settled farming districts. 

McKinney, the county seat, is a thriving city of 4,500 in- 
habitants, located nearly in the center of the county. It has fifteen 

56 




22 



cCO 



U.CO 
I I 



O (J) 

*£ 
= ° 

i.E 

— -M 

o 

OO 

1 I 



</> = 

12 



fine church buildings, a complete school system, with several large 
colleges and academies of music, a fine court house, a large packing 
house, three flouring mills and elevators, waterworks and electric 
light plants, two wholesale grocery houses, one wholesale drug 
house, and a number of other industries. 

Farmersville, with a population of 2,000, has several steam 
cotton gins, a flouring mill, a number of good church buildings, a 
high school, and many mercantile establishments. 




Collin County Hogs. 



DENTON COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

A county of 581,760 acres, 290,000 acres being under cultivation. 
Organized in 1846, it has a population of 30,000, an increase over 
the census of 1890 of 9,711. Large crops of corn, wheat, oats, cotton 
and alfalfa are produced. The county is noted for its fine stock. 

Schools and Churches. 

The county has 96 public schools, receiving from the State and 
County over $35,000 for their support. At Denton is located the 
"North Texas Normal," and several private schools. The churches 
are well represented by over 100 organizations. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated $20 to $50 per acre; unimproved lands 
$10 to $25 per acre. 

Banks. 

There are seven banks in the county, with deposits of $1,088,500. 

58 







oCC 






H 

£* 



Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway traverses the county 
with its main line and with the Dallas branch from Denton. There 
is one other railway in the county. 

Towns. 

There are a number of good towns in the county, among which 
are: 

DENTON, the county seat, with a population of 4,300, is a 
most attractive city, with fine school and church facilities, cotton 
seed oil mills, ice factories, several flouring mills and elevators, an 
excellent system of waterworks, electric light plant, several brick 
and tile plants, canning factory, and a planing mill. The business 




Feeding Cattle near Denton. 

houses are substantial buildings, and there are many beautiful resi- 
dences. The court house is a very handsome structure, costing 
$132,000. Large shipments of flour, grain, hogs, cattle, brick, tile 
and pottery are annually made. 

Other Towns. 

Pilot Point, with a population of 2,000; Lewisville, 1,200; Au- 
brey, 500; Roanoke, 300, are all good towns doing a thriving busi- 
ness, and showing a steady growth. 



60 




DO 

I I 
in id 



ifc ns 
OI 

+ 1 v. 

o.t: 

OLO 

I I 

00 <* 



^O 

I J, 



TARRANT COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

This county dates from 1850, and has an area of 556,000 acres, 
of which 190,700 acres are in cultivation. The population is 52,376, 
showing an increase over the previous census of 11,234. It is a fine 
farming district, and considerable attention is paid to fine stock. 

Schools and Churches. 

There are in the county 104 public schools, receiving for their 
support from the State and County $28,736. In addition to the 
county schools, Ft. Worth has twenty modern school buildings, a fine 
high school, five colleges, and a number of private schools. There 
are 120 church organizations, with many handsome edifices. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated from $25 to $50 per acre; unimproved 
lands from $10 to $25 per acre. 

Banks. 

The county has nine banks, with deposits of $5,000,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

Besides the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, there are eight 
other lines traversing the county, affording the best of transpor- 
tation facilities. 

Towns and Cities. 

Ft. Worth, the county seat (population, 28,000), is one of the 
principal cities of Texas; Arlington, with a population of 1,600; 
Mansfield, 1,200; Grapevine, 1,200, are the principal towns. There are 
a number of smaller towns, baving good schools, churches, and rail- 
way facilities. 

FT. WORTH 
Is an important railroad, live stock and commercial center, having 
a population of 28,000, with fine business blocks, large office build- 
ings, 42 handsome churches, 15 commodious public school buildings, 
the Polytechnic College, St. Ignatius Academy, Ft. Worth Uni- 
versity, fine law and medical colleges, several business colleges, 
many miles of paved streets, extensive electric car lines, makes 
Ft. Worth an attractive city. 

A Few of the Industries are: 

Six wholesale grain firms, three grain elevators, four wholesale 
grocery houses, two wholesale furniture houses, one wholesale drug 

62 



house, one wholesale dry goods house, twelve wholesale and retail 
hardware houses, one wholesale hat house, nine wholesale lumber 
firms, five ice factories, large packing houses, two large flouring 
mills, daily capacity 1700 barrels; cotton seed oil mills, two whole- 
sale crockery houses, and a number of other industries. 

Ft. Worth has nine banks, with deposits exceeding $5,000,000. 

It is the most important packing house center southwest of 
Kansas City. Two of the large packing houses of the North are 
here, and extensive improvements are now being made. 

The milling interests are large, and vast quantities of flour are 
exported; the same is true of the packing house products. 

Many Fine Buildings. 

The Tarrant County court house, built of Texas granite, costing 
$400,000, is among the finest of its class in the United States. 

The Federal building, costing $175,000, built of red sand stone, 
is a most attractive building. 

The Carnegie Library building is one of the points of interest 
in the city. 

The vast buildings of the breweries represent an investment of 
over one million dollars. 

The New Union Station is the finest south of St. Louis. 

The many lofty office buildings, numerous business blocks, fine 
hotels and many handsome residences, compare most favorably with 
those of any city much larger than Ft. Worth. 

The Ft. Worth Board of Trade takes a most active interest in 
• the city's welfare, and has been the means of locating many large 
industries. 

There are nine railway lines, including the Missouri, Kansas & 
Texas Railway, centering in Ft. Worth. 




Tarrant County Cotton, 
63 



ROCKWALL COUNTY. 




Rockwall County Wealth. 



Area and Population. 

This is the smallest coun- 
ty in the State, having an 
area of 96,000 acres, of which 
76,000 acres are in culti- 
vation. The county was, 
population of 8,531. The farm 



organized in 1873, and has a 
lands are fertile and productive. 
Schools and Churches. 

The schools number 26, receiving from the State and County 
fund the sum of $12,000. In addition to the public schools there are 
two high grade colleges. The religious denominations number 30. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated $40 to $60 per acre; unimproved lands 
$15 to $25 per acre. 
Banks. 

Three banks in the county have deposits of $300,000. 
Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway affords the county 
transportation and shipping facilities north, east, south and west. 

Towns. 

ROCKWALL, the county seat, with a population of 1,500, is the 
largest and most important town, having good business buildings, 
fine schools and churches, two cotton seed oil mills, several grain ' 
elevators, and many attractive residences. Royse, with 1,000, and 
Fate, with 600, are the other principal towns. 




Harvest Scene near Rockwall. 
64 



DALLAS COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

There are 572,249 acres in this county, of which 430,000 acres 
are in cultivation. It was organized in 1846, and now has a popu- 
lation of 82,726, an increase over the previous census of 5,684. It is 
the most populous county in the State, and among the first in tax- 
able values. 

Schools and Churches. 

There are in the county 152 schools, receiving for their support 
the sum of $123,086. In addition, there are four colleges, two medi- 
cal schools, and a number of fine business colleges. The county has 
225 religious organizations, with many handsome and expensive 
churches. 



Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated 
$10 to $20 per acre. 



to $50 per acre; unimproved lands 




65 



Banks. 

The banking facilities are the best. There are seven banks, 
with deposits of over $7,800,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

In addition to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, eight 
other lines traverse the county, affording transportation facilities in 
every direction. 

Cities and Towns. 

Dallas, the county seat, is one of the most important eities of 
Texas. Lancaster, with 1,200, and several other towns, afford good 
home markets. 

DALLAS. 

One of the most important manufacturing and wholesale centers 
in the Southwest, with a population of over 70,000. It is a modern, 
thriving commercial center, with exceptional railroad facilities, and 
located in the center of the richest and most thickly settled portion 
of the State. Its churches, fine business blocks, office buildings, 
big mercantile and manufacturing establishments, elegant resi- 
dences, paved streets, and electric railway lines, make it one of 
the most attractive cities of the Southwest. The educational 
facilities are of the highest order; twenty private schools, sixteen 
public schools, several business colleges, convents, medical colleges, 
and conservatories of music, are included in the list. There are 
48 church edifices, many of them handsome and expensive, repre- 
senting all the different denominations. 

A Large Wholesale Center. 

The volume of the wholesale trade of Dallas is estimated as 
follows: 

Agricultural implements $15,000,000 

Groceries 6,000,000 

Hardware 1,250,000 

Dry goods and clothing 3,000,000 

Leather, saddlery, harness, etc 3,250,000 

Tobacco and cigars 1,000,000 

Drugs and liquors 2,500,000 

Coal 2,500,000 

Meat, packed 1,200,000 

Boots and shoes 600,000 

Miscellaneous 300,000 

Total $36,600,000 

67 




3 3 
CO £0 



I I 



o 

£° 

3 4) 

OX 

Q.+ 1 



I I 



■D+J 



x ra 
\-< 

I J, 



Dallas is the second largest distributing point for agricultural 
implements in the world, and ranks first in the United States in the 
manufacture of saddlery and harness goods. 

There are five banks, with deposits exceeding $6,500,000; also 
a number of loan and trust companies, affording an abundance of 
money for all enterprises. 

Factories. 

The Government Census Bulletin, issued January, 1901, shows 

Dallas has Per cent 

1900. 1890. of inc. 

Number of establishments 373 312 1.6 

Capital $6,897,015 $6,250,118 10.4 

Wage-earners — average number. . . 3,756 3,556 5.7 

Miscellaneous expenses 665,954 595,257 11.9 

Cost of materials used, including the 

custom work and repairing 6,270,870 4,354,769 44.0 

Value of products 11,480,499 9,054,766 26.8 

Among the most prominent are:. A hat and shoe factory, two 
large packing houses, a large cotton mill, brewery, oil refineries, 
trunk, cigar, saddlery and harness factories. 

The Dallas Commercial Club, an organization composed of the 
prominent business men of the city, takes a most active interest in 
the welfare of the city, and has done much to make Dallas a great 
wholesale and manufacturing center. 

THE GREAT TEXAS STATE FAIR. 

Is held at Dallas each Fall, and is conceded to be the largest 
combined Fair, Exposition and Race Meet in the United States. 
Since its organization, fifteen years ago, it has paid out more than 
$750,000 in premiums, purses and attractions, and more than a half 
million dollars for buildings and permanent improvements. 

Its grounds contain 200 acres. It has a full mile regulation 
trotting track, and seven-eighths of a mile running track. Its grand- 
stand will seat 5,000 persons. It has six miles of gravel drives and 
walks throughout the grounds, protected by shade trees and 
adorned with ornamental shrubbery and beautiful flower beds. 

The Exposition building contains 70,000 square feet of floor 
space, Machinery Hall contains 30,000 square feet, and the Imple- 
ment and Vehicle Departments have more than 80,000 square feet. 
The Poultry Department has room for 4,000 birds; the Live Stock 
Department has stalls for 500 head of cattle, 300 head of exhibition 

69 



horses, and 750 head of hogs; the Racing Department has 580 box 
stalls for the flyers. 

The magnificent Music Hall has 3,300 opera chairs, besides the 
immense seating space of the balconies and galleries. 

The Ladies' Art, Textile and Culinary Department Hall is a 
model of comfort and convenience, with floor space of 26x400 feet. 

The new Floral Hall has more than 6,000 square feet. 

The Farm and Mill Department, having 21x300 feet of floor 
space, is where the products of Texas are displayed for the home- 
seeker. 

The purses of the Racing Department amount to over $30,000 
each year. 

The outlay for the "Attracting List" will be equal to this 
amount, and the premiums in the Live Stock Department are as 
large as those of any other State Fair in the country. 

The Exhibition Kennels, 60x150 feet, are for the use of the 
Bench Show, and have room for more than 400 dogs. 

The large exhibit of fine stock is one of the prominent features 
of the Fair, and the stock is as fine as can be seen in any State. 



JOHNSON COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

This county, organized in 1854, has an area of 462,122 acres, 
with 230,000 acres in cultivation. 

The population is 33,819, an increase of 11,506 over the census 
of 1890. 

It is a fine farming and stock county; the lands are rich and 
productive. The fine stock interests are very important. 

Schools and Churches. 

The county has 96 schools, receiving $44,795 from the State 
and County school funds. There are six colleges and private schools, 
and 125 churches in the county. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated $20 to $40 per acre; unimproved lands 
$10 to $15 per acre. 

Banks. 

Five banks in the county have deposits amounting to over 

$1,250,000. 



70 



Railway Facilities. 

The county has good transportation facilities in the Missouri, 
Kansas & Texas Railway and two other railway lines. 

Towns. 

CLEBURNE, the county seat, with a population of 9,000, and 
modern improvements, is a well built city, with fine business 
blocks and many handsome residences. The schools are the best. 




Cotton and Corn near Alvarado. 



The city has many expensive churches. There are a number of 
important industries, such as two cotton seed oil mills, cotton com- 
press, two ice factories, creamery, flouring mills and elevators, two 
wholesale grocery and dry goods houses. 

Other Towns. 

Alvarado, with 2,000 population, is an important business point, 
on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, surrounded by a very 
rich and productive agricultural country. Grand View, with 1,500; 
Venus, with 800; Burleson, with 500, and Joshua, with 500, are all 
live, growing towns, with good schools, churches and business firms. 




ELLIS COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

This is one of the richest farming counties in the State, having 
an area of 620,160 acres, of which 413,500 acres are in cultivation, 
producing annually large crops of corn, cotton and grain. A great 
deal of attention is given to fine stock. The county was organized 
in 1850. The census of 1900 shows a population of 50,059, an in- 
crease over the 1890 census of 18,285. 

Schools and Churches. 

One hundred and forty public schools receive from the school 
fund the sum of $94,660. Five colleges, several private schools and 
academies of music, afford excellent educational facilities. There 
are in the county 135 church organizations of leading denominations. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated at $35 to $60 per acre; unimproved 
lands $20 to $35 per acre. 

Banks. 

The banks number 14, with deposits of $2,370,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas, and four other roads, furnisn 
the transportation facilities. 

Towns and Cities. 

WAXAHACHIE, the county seat, is an attractive city of 6,000 in- 
habitants. It is a modern city, with fine business blocks and many 
beautiful residences. It is famous as the largest interior cotton 
market in the world, disposing, in one year, of 65,000 bales of cotton, 
the largest amount of cotton ever purchased direct from the 
growers. Many thousand head of cattle are fattened each year. 
During the year 1901 the farmers of the county marketed $250,000 
worth of mules. 

The leading industries are: A $175,000 cotton mill, two large 
cotton seed oil mills, ice factories, flouring mills and elevators, and 
three wholesale grocery houses. 

The court house, built of Texas granite and red sand stone, 
cost $175,000. It is one of the most handsome buildings of its kind 

73 



in the country. The schools and churches are the best, and would 
be a credit to a city many times larger. 

Other Important Towns. 

Ennis, population, 7,000; Italy, 2,500; Milford, 2,000; Ferris, 
2,000; Palmer, 1,500; Midlothan, 1,500, are all live, industrious 
towns, with substantial business firms, the best of schools and 
churches, and surrounded by a rich farming and stock country. 




Cultivating Cotton near Waxahachie. 



HILL COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

One of the rich farming counties of Central Texas. Hill County 
has an area of 659,200 acres, of which 495,000 acres are in cultiva- 
tion. The population (1900) was 41,355, showing an increase over 
the previous census of 13,772. It is a very rich farming country, the 
principal crops being corn, cotton, wheat and oats. The live stock 
interests are important, and the hog industry has grown rapidly 
during the past few years. 

Schools and Churches. 

The county has 133 public schools, receiving from the State 
school fund $56,335. There are ten private schools and colleges, and 
at Hillsboro is located a fine Conservatory of Music. It has 135 
church organizations, with handsome and expensive edifices. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated from $20 to $40 per acre; unimproved 
lands from $10 to $25 per acre. 

74 




1 — Hill County Court House. 

2— M. K. & T. Ry. Depot and Dining Station. 

3— Hillsboro Cotton Mill. 



4— Cotton Seed Oil Mill. 
5 — Bird's-eye View of 
Hillsboro. 



Banks. 

The deposits of the eleven banks amount to $1,350,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The county has the best of shipping facilities; the Missouri, 
Kansas & Texas Railway and five other lines traverse the county. 

Towns. 

HILLSBORO, the county seat, with a population of 7,500, is a 

well built town, with modern improvements. The business blocks are 

composed of expensive and costly 
buildings. The leading industries 
are: A cotton mill, several flour- 
ing mills, cotton seed oi'l mills, 
one of the largest cotton com- 
presses in the State, ice factory, 
broom factory, and two wholesale 
grocery houses. Hillsboro is a 

large grain and live stock center. 
These Little Pigs Go to Market. „ . ,, „ -, nrv ., 

During the year of 1901, over 

300 cars of hogs were, shipped to California, and over 400 

cars of horses, mules and cattle were shipped north. The schools 

are of the best, and there are many handsome churches and 

beautiful residences. 

Other Towns. 

Itaska, with 3,000 population; Hubbard, 4,000; Mt. Calm, 1,500; 
Abbott, 800, and Blum, 500; also a number of others. These are all 
important trading centers, located in a rich farming country. 





Farm near Hillsboro. 



76 



Mclennan county. 



Area and Population. 

Situated in the center of the black land belt and about the 
center of the State, this county has an area. of 693,120 acres, of 
which 460,000 are in cultivation. It is a rich, productive county, 
with a population of 59,772, showing the remarkable increase over 
the census of 1890 of 20,568. The county was organized in 1850. 

Schools and Churches. 

McLennan County has 137 public schools, receiving from the 
State and County school fund $129,823; seven fine colleges, several 
private schools and two business colleges. There are 140 church 
organizations in the county, having many large and expensive 
edifices. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated $25 to $40 per acre; unimproved $12 
to $15 per acre. 

Banks. 

The deposits of eleven banks amount to $3,500,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, in addition to eight 
other lines, traverse the county, affording exceptionally good rail- 
road facilities. 

Towns and Cities. 

WACO, the county seat, is one of the important cities of Texas. 
It has a population of 22,000, and is an enterprising, progressive city. 
All lines of business are represented on a large scale, and an 
enormous business is transacted. It is the Athens of Texas, having 
a fine system of public schools, seven large prosperous colleges, 
several business colleges, and a number of private schools. 

Other Towns. 

Moody, with a population of 1,300; McGregor, 1,500; Crawford, 
550, and West, 900, are thriving towns, doing a large business; with 
fine schools and churches, and good railway facilities. 

77 



WACO, THE CENTRAL CITY OF TEXAS, 

Is one of the important commercial and educational centers of 
Texas. The volume of business in 1901 amounted to over $30,000,000. 
The Census Bureau Bulletin, issued January, 1901, shows Waco has: 

Industrial establishments numbering 166 

Capital invested $2,096,741 

Wage-earners, average number 1,227 

Total wages $ 469,129 

Miscellaneous expenses 222,381 

Cost of material used, including custom work 

and repairing 1,477,642 

Value of products 2,693,907 

Waco has 166 factories, among the most important being: Iron, 
wood, awning and tent, mattress, ice, brick, wagon and buggy fac- 
tories, one, alone employing over 500 hands. 

The other industries are: Flouring mills and elevators, two 
large wholesale houses, cotton and woolen mill, wholesale shoe 
house, cotton seed oil mills, packing house, wholesale dry goods 
house, nine implement and machine houses, wholesale saddlery and 
harness house, four cotton compresses. 

The Educational Facilities are Unequaled. 

A fine system of public schools, with a good high school; Baylor 
University, Add-Ran University, Academy of the Sacred Heart, 
Saint Basil's College, Paul Quinn's College, three business colleges, 
Conservatory of Music, twelve private schools, and ten ward 
schools. 

Waco has many handsome and costly churches. 

Railway Facilities. 

Thirty passenger trains every day leave and arrive. Ten rail- 
road outlets, including the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, 
afford the finest shipping facilities. 

Many Improvements Are Being Made. 

During 1901 the amount expended for new buildings exceeded 
$1,000,000, including a new court house, a new suspension bridge 
(eighth largest in the United States), a packing house, Baylor Uni- 
versity building, Saint Basil's College, an ice storage plant, the new 
$50,000 depot of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, grain ele- 
vators, etc. 

Waco has one of the finest Natatoriums in the country; a fine 
system of waterworks, supplied by 23 artesian wells; fine electric 

79 



street car service, two electric light plants, and one gas plant; the 
largest auditorium in the State, with a seating capacity of 5,000. 

Waco has two active and efficient organizations for promoting 
commerce, manufactories and industrial enterprises, the Waco 
Business Men's Club and the Young Men's Business Club. 



. ■ * j flf 






* 



Cattle and Corn near Waco. 



BELL COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

A Central Texas black land county, with an area of 656,000 
acres, of which 430,000 acres are in cultivation. The lands are very- 
productive. Large crops of grain and cotton are raised. The live 
stock interests are given much attention. The population is 46,000, 
an increase over the census of 1890 of 12,663. The county was or- 
ganized in 1850. 

Schools and Churches. 

The country has 144 schools, receiving for their support the sum 
of $83,465. At Belton there are five large colleges. The churches 
number 185, with many handsome and expensive edifices. 



Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated $30 to 
$10 to $25 per acre. 

80 



per acre; unimproved lands 




1 — Bell County Court House and Opera House. 
2— Cotton Seed Oil Mill. 4— Methodist Church. 

3— Baptist Church. 5— M. K. & T. Ry. Depot. 



Banks. 

Eleven banks in the county have deposits of $2,000,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway and another line afford 
good shipping facilities. 

Cities and Towns. 

BELTON, the county seat, has a population of 4,500. It is one of 
the important educational centers of the State, having a fine system 
of public schools and five large colleges, several private schools and 
schools of music. Belton has a $100,000 cotton mill, a cotton seed 
oil mill and several flouring mills. 

Temple, the railroad center of the county, has a population of 
6,000, a fine system of schools, and many handsome churches. The 
jobbing interests are large. The town does a large cotton business. 
Railroad shops, located here, give steady employment to a large 
number of men, as also does the cotton compress and an oil mill. 

There are a number of other thriving towns in the county, 
among them: Holland with 500 population and Troy with 250. 



^Ira^ff^A- *^~ 




Sheep Ranch, Bell County. 



82 



WILLIAMSON COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

This is among the richest agricultural counties in the State. It 

was organized in 1840, and contains 766,080 acres, of which about 

two-thirds is in cultivation. 
The surface of the county is 
undulating, with a wooded 
area embracing about a 
fourth of the county. The 
soil of the prairie is the stiff, 
black, waxy kind, producing 
heavy yields of cotton, corn, 
wheat and oats. Fruits and 
vegetables are grown to per- 
Of Good Breeding. fection. Stock raising is 

profitable. The county has many herds of fine stock. The census 

of 1900 gives the population as 38,072. 




Schools and Churches. 

The educational facilities are good, the county having over one 
hundred and fifty public and private schools. The appropriation 
received from the public school fund is $43,286. 

The Southwestern University of Texas, one of the finest schools 
of its kind in the South, is located at Georgetown. 

The religious organizations are represented by many costly 
church buildings. 



Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated $20 to 
$5 to $15 per acre. 



per acre; unimproved lands 



Banks. 

Ten banks in the county have deposits amounting to $860,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The county has two railroads. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas 
Railway passes, from north to south, through the center of the 
county. 

Towns and Cities. 

TAYLOR (population, 6,500) is the principal railroad and com- 
mercial center of this section of the State. It has a number of large 



83 




1 — Fine Horse Ranch near Taylor. 
2 — Flouring Mill. 
3 — Public Square. 



4 — Farm near Taylor. 
5 — Main Street. 



wholesale jobbing houses, cotton seed oil mills, a cotton factory, 
cotton compresses, ice factories, electric light and power plants; 
a fine system of public schools, colleges and private schools. Its 
churches are expensive, and the city is beautified by a large num- 
ber of handsome residences. It is a modern city of progressive busi- 
ness men and growing industries. 

Other Towns. 

GEORGETOWN, the county seat, population 3,500, has good pub- 
lic schools, colleges and many costly church edifices. Here is located 
the Southwestern University, and the Texas Chautauqua grounds, 
which, each summer, brings a large number of visitors to the city. 
A large volume of business is transacted annually. 

Bartlett, with 1,000 population; Round Rock, 1,000; Hutto, 1,500; 
Liberty Hill, 1,000, and Lelander, 800, are the other important busi- 
ness towns of the county; all progressive, pushing towns with a 
future. 




Near Taylor. 



85 



FALLS COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

Situated nearly in the center of the State, Falls County, or- 
ganized in 1850, contains 496,640 acres, about one-third of which is 

in cultivation. The popula- 
tion (1900) was 33,342. This 
is distinctly a farming coun- 
ty. The bottom lands are 
exceedingly fertile and adapt- 
ed specially to the growth of 
cotton, corn and fruit. A 
large part of the fruits grown 
in the State come from this 
county. About half of the 
county is black rolling prairie 
land; the remainder, in the 
Brazos bottom and brown 
sandy upland, is covered 
Cutting Clover. witll timber. In the county 

are several large flouring mills, two cotton seed oil mills, cotton 
gins and cotton compresses. 

Schools and Churches. 

The county has one hundred and ten public schools, receiving 
from the State school fund $41,605. There are one hundred and fifty 
churches, representing the leading religious organizations. 




Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated 
$8 to $15 per acre. 



to $40 per acre; unimproved lands 



Banks. 

Four banks, with deposits of $550,000, do the banking business 
of the county. 

Railway Facilities. 

Three lines of road traverse the county. The Missouri, Kansas 
& Texas Railway passes through the western part. 

Towns. • 

MARLIN, the county seat (population, 3,200), is one of the noted 
health resorts of the State. The waters have wonderful curative 



86 




1-2-5 — State University Buildings. 3 — High School. 4 — Post Office. 



powers for rheumatism. The hotel accommodations are excellent, 
and the bathing facilities unsurpassed. It is an important busi- 
ness center, with a large number of mercantile houses. In addition 
to the public schools there are several private schools and colleges, 
many costly churches and many attractive residences. 

Other Towns. 

•Groesbeck, population 1,500; Lott, 700, and Chilton, a00, are all 
progressive business centers. 



TRAVIS COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

A county with 260,000 acres in cultivation out of a total area of 
568,742 acres. The population is 47,386, showing an incref.se over 
the census of 1890 of 11,064. 

Schools and Churches. 

The public schools number 102, and receive for their support 
$49,000. At Austin are located twelve colleges, the State University 
and Law School, making this an important educational center of 
Texas. There are over 100 church organizations. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated $25 to $50 per acre; unimproved lands 
$5 to $10 per acre. 

Banks. 

The county has four banks, with deposits of $3,750,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

In addition to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, there are 
three other railways in the county, affording excellent railroad 
facilities. 

Cities and Towns. 

AUSTIN, the capital of the State, with a population of 23,000, 
is the great educational center of Texas, having twelve colleges, 
among them the State University and Law School, a fine system 
of public schools, and many handsome churches. Here is located 
the- State Capitol, a very handsome and imposing structure, costing 



over three and a half million dollars, and being the seventh building 
in size in the world. The city has many important industries, is 
modern in every particular, and has numerous large, imposing busi- 
ness buildings and handsome and expensive residences. 

Other Towns. 

Manor, with 500 population; Merrilltown, 101), and New Sweden 
with 100, are growing towns. 




Angora Goat Ranch. 



CALDWELL COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

Contains 338,239 acres, of which a third is in cultivation. The 
county was organized in 1848, and has a population of 21,765. The 




Clark Library, Lockhart. 

general surface is level; the black, waxy prairie soil yields large 
crops of corn and cotton, fruits and vegetables. Stock raising is 
carried on extensively all over the county. 

89 



Schools and Churches. 

Caldwell County has sixty schools, with an annual State ap- 
propriation of $27,460. The church organizations are represented 
by forty churches of the leading denominations. 



Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated 
$10 to $30 per acre. 



to $50 per acre; unimproved lands 



Banks. 

The county has three banks, with deposits of $300,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

Three lines of road afford good shipping facilities. The Mis- 
souri, Kansas & Texas Railway enters the county on the east and 
passes through the north-central part. 

Towns and Cities. 

LOCKHART, the county seat (population, 3,000), is the largest 
town in the county. It is well built, thoroughly modern, with fine 
public schools, several costly churches, a fine public library, and 
many attractive residences. The leading industries are two cotton 
seed oil mills, two cotton compresses, one brick plant, soap factory, 
broom factory, ice and cold storage plant, and a large wholesale 
grocery house. 

Other Towns. 

Luling, population 2,000; Maxwell, 500; Martindale, 300, are all 
important, thriving towns. 



• 










\ Hfet 


■^t" ^rfj$$wmMk* 


fe 


m 


1 


I T""* is 


- - • 


mlr ' - 


*' ' . 


' *WS«H15 — -'--" 


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' *>*-^>^- 











Christian Church, Lockhart. 
90 



HAYS COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

The county, organized in 1848, contains 436,120 acres, of 
which a fifth is in cultivation. The population is 14,142. The 

prairie lands are the black 



P B f"~ 



V 




"Katy" Scenery. 



waxy and very productive. 
The principal crops are cot- 
ton, corn, oats, fruits and 
vegetables. The county is 
well watered by the Blanco 
and San Marcos rivers. The 
San Marcos river, so fa- 
mous for its matchless 
beauty and wonderful 
springs, has its source near 
the town of San Marcos, 



and gushes from the mountain side a full-grown river. It furnishes 
water power sufficient for manufactories of large capacity. 

Schools and Churches. 

There are forty schools in the county, receiving from the State 
school fund $17,600. In addition, there are two large colleges. 

The leading religious organizations are represented by about 
forty-five churches. 



Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated 
$5 to $15 per acre. 



to $40 per acre; unimproved lands 



Banks. 

There are three banks in the county, with deposits amounting 
to $425,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

Two lines of road furnish good shipping facilities. The Mis- 
souri, Kansas & Texas Railway passes through the eastern part of 
the county. 

Towns. 

SAN MARCOS, the county seat (population, 2,300), is the most 
important town in the county, and does a flourishing business in 
all lines. It is located in a rich farming and stock county, and 



92 




e= 



MQ 






CD. 

n 



has a large wholesale grocery house, two large cotton seed oil mills, 
a number of cotton gins, waterworks and electric light plant. Here 
also are located the U. S. Fish Hatcheries. The San Marcos river, 

passing through the town, fur- 
nishes power for a large num- 
ber of manufacturing plants. 

It has several public 
schools, also the M. B. Church 
College. The city has many 
costly churches and attractive 
residences. 
Other Towns. 

Kyle, population 1,000; Buda, 
500, and Dripping Springs, are 
important business points. 




COMAL COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

Organized in 1846, it contains 420,720 acres. The census of 
1900 shows the population to be 7,008, consisting almost wholly of 
thrifty and industrious Germans. The soil is black waxy and very 
rich, producing large crops of corn, cotton, oats, fruits and vege- 
tables. Fine stock raising is given much attention and has proven 
a very profitable industry. 

Schools and Churches. 

There are a number of schools in the county, which receive 
from the school fund $7,647. Most of the religious organizations 
are well represented. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated $40 to $50 per acre; unimproved lands 
$5 to $20 per acre. 

Railway Facilities. 

The county has good transportation facilities furnished by two 
roads. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway passes through the 
central portion of the county. 

Towns. 

NEW BRAUNFELS, the county seat (population, 2,100), is the 
most important town in the county. The Comal river furnishes ample 

94 



water power for extensive manufactories. The town has a large 
cotton seed oil mill, flouring mills, cotton gins, electric power and 
light plant, and a number of large mercantile houses, a fine system 
of public schools, many churches and attractive residences. 




Cattle Feeding near New Braunfels. 



BEXAR COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

Situated in the heart of Southwestern Texas, this county ranks 
second in population and taxable value. It is one of the oldest 
counties in the State, being settled in 1689, and organized in 1838. 
It contains 752,000 acres, of which 160,000 acres are in cultivation. 
The soil of the county is a black sandy loam and black waxy. The 
principal crops are cotton and corn, fruits and vegetables. The 
stock interests are large. The county has a population of 73,367, 
an increase since the 1890 census of nearly 20,000. 

Schools and Churches. 

The educational facilities are of the best, being represented by 
150 schools, several colleges, private schools and business colleges. 
The public schools receive from the State school fund $132,292. 
The church organizations number 95, represented by many hand- 
some and expensive buildings. 



Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated $20 to 
$5 to $10 per acre. 

95 



per acre; unimproved lands 




< 



■am 



si 

O 10 

8 s 






bo? 

D.<l- 



Banks. 

Nine banks in the county have deposits amounting 
$8,000,000. 



to over 



Railway Facilities. 

The transportation facilities are of the best; five different lines 
traverse the county. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway passes 
through the northern part of the county, to San Antonio, its 
terminus. 

Towns and Cities. 

SAN ANTONIO, the county seat, is the great health and winter 
resort, and the commercial, railroad and live stock center of South- 
west Texas. 





p .' ~ : , x» tfBjjfiii8ir iir " 




<^Bl^: , '^ i; "w*^ r__ .....* . v ' 




jjA wfr 


", *■ j 


lJ*?^ "- ..ml. pBOiilUBL— .- 






ti 



Shipping Wool, Bexar County. 



SAN ANTONIO, THE CITY OF MISSIONS, 

Is the gateway between the United States and the Republic of 
Mexico. As a health and pleasure resort this quaint, beautiful city 
stands foremost. The population of 53,000 is cosmopolitan in make- 
up, with the picturesque Mexican much in evidence. 

The city is built on a high, rolling, well drained country- The 
streets for the most part are well paved, following, in a way, the con- 
tortions of the beautiful San Antonio river, a small stream lined on 
either bank for its entire distance with the beautiful verdure of 
tropical plants and native trees. In the newer part of the city 
the streets are more regular in shape, and the buildings and resi- 
dences modern in construction. 

97 



There is an indescribable "something" about San Antonio ever 
present that fastens upon the visitor as well as the inhabitant a 
joyous memory that never fades. Perhaps it is the historical in- 
terest, the Alamo, the grand old Missions, the picturesque Mexican, 
the delightful climate, the beautiful plazas (parks) ; perhaps it is 
all of these and the many other things that make the city so at- 
tractive. 

The public school system is very thorough. In addition to the 
sixteen commodious public school buildings, there are twenty-six 
colleges and private schools. There are fifty-five churches, many 
of them being costly and handsome edifices. 

Among the many manufacturing establishments are: Two of 
the largest breweries in the South, several flouring mills, machine 
shops, foundries, iron works, binderies and printing houses, and 
cement and tile works. 

There are eleven wholesale houses, representing all branches 
of trade, with a trade extending all over Southwest Texas and Old 
Mexico. 

The ten banks are strong financial institutions, with deposits 
aggregating $8,000,000. 

San Antonio, the southwestern terminus of the Missouri, 
Kansas & Texas Railway, has four other lines of railway. A 
beautiful new passenger station is being constructed by the M. K. 
& T. and G. H. & S. A. Rys. 

HISTORICAL. 

San Antonio was settled in 1689. The Alamo, on Alamo Plaza, 
was built in 1718. San Fernando Cathedral, on Main Plaza, was 
built in 1734. Mission Concepcion de la Acuna, two miles from 
Main Plaza, in 1731; Mission San Jose, four miles south of Main 
Plaza, in 1720; Mission San Juan, six miles south of Main Plaza, 
and Mission Espada, eight miles south of Main Plaza, in 1731. 

Governor Antonio Cordero was the first of four Governors to 
occupy the Governor's Palace, No. 105 Military Plaza, in 1749. He 
was tried for treason, executed, and his head was placed upon a 
pole where the City Hall now stands. 

The Veramendi Palace, No. 128 Soledad street, was occupied 
by Governor "Veramendi, who was the father-in-law of Col. James 
Bowie. 

Milam was killed in the rear of the Veramendi Palace, Dec. 5, 
1835, by a sharpshooter, from the top of a cypress tree standing 
where the old court house now stands. His grave is in the center 
of Milam Square-, g 



Eight battles for the Independence of Texas were fought in 
and around San Antonio in 1776, 1812, 1813 (two battles), 1835 
(three battles), and 1836, under Spanish, French, Mexican, Mexican 
Charter, and Texas flags. After the independence of Texas, and 
when the Republic became one of the States in the Federal Union, 
the United States flag was used until the outbreak of the Civil War, 
when the Confederate flag was temporarily used, followed by the 
United States flag after peace was restored. Thus San Antonio 
has thrived successively under eight different flags. 

Santa Anna invested San Antonio February 23, 1836, in com- 
mand of a force estimated at from four to six thousand soldiers, 
and Colonel Travis, with a force of 188 men, was driven into the 
Alamo. After a siege of eleven days, the Alamo fell on March 6, 
1836, and the entire garrison was killed and their bodies burned. 

The officers defending the Alamo were Colonel W. B. Travis, 
James Bowie, Davy Crockett, J. B. Bonham and J. Washington. 

The battle of San Jacinto was fought April 21, 1836. "Remem- 
ber the Alamo" was the slogan. Santa Anna was defeated and 
captured, thus ending the war and giving independence to Texas. 

Previous to the Civil War, General Robert E. Lee and General 
Albert Sidney Johnston were stationed in San Antonio and had 
their headquarters on the corner of Crockett and Lasoya streets. 
They resided in the old Howard mansion on South Alamo street. 

General Albert Sidney Johnston also resided on the west side 
of St. Mary's street, where No. 225 St. Mary's now stands, the third 
door south of Houston street. 

San Antonio has been a military point of importance ever 
since the annexation of Texas. The present Government Post 
(second largest in the United States) contains 206 acres. It was 
selected on account of its strategical position and the exceedingly 
healthy climate. As it exists at present, it comprises quarters for 
14 companies, 43 sets of officers' quarters, offices, commissary and 
quartermaster's depot, a large corral for horses, all erected at an 
expenditure approximating $1,000,000. 

NATURAL HOT SULPHUR BATHS, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. 

San Antonio has hitherto been known to tourists and invalids 
chiefly for its scenic beauty, its historic associations, and its salu- 
brious, anti-malarial climate, and these features have been sufficient 
to attract thither thousands of annual visitors from all parts of the 
country. The announcement that to its other attractions has re- 
cently been added a magnificent sanitarium, including a superb 

100 



modern hotel and an elegantly appointed bath house, supplied with 
natural hot sulphur-saline water of remarkable medicinal properties, 

will, therefore, be a 
pleasant surprise to old 
friends and an addi- 
tional incentive to 
those who have never 
experienced the de- 
lights of a sojourn in 
this quaint and health- 
ful old city. 

For several years it 
has been known that 
under the southern 
portion of the city there lay a subterranean stratum "charged with 
hot medicinal waters of wonderful curative value. These health- 
giving waters have at last been rendered available to the public. 
They flow at the rate of 300,000 gallons daily from a volcanic geyser 
2000 feet deep, issuing from the ground at a natural temperature of 
104 degrees Fahrenheit, the approved degree of heat for bathing 
purposes. 




Bath House, Sulphur Wells Hotel, 
San Antonio. 




Bird's-eye view Sulphur Wells Hotel and Bath House, San Antonio, Texas. 

The water is so strongly impregnated with alkaline and saline 
compounds, as well as with free sulphur, that it is unquestionably 
the strongest and most remarkable mineral water yet discovered. 



101 



It has already proven a specific in all skin and blood diseases, 
and is nature's remedy for rheumatism, neuralgia, catarrh, malaria, 
sciatica, jaundice, constipation, etc., for all troubles of the liver, 
kidneys, stomach and bowels, and for complaints peculiar to women. 
Perhaps the greatest advantage, outside of the therapeutic 
value of the water, which this new resort offers to invalids, is the 
fact that the climatic conditions of San Antonio are such that the 
baths may be taken at any season of the year with perfect safety 
and with the best possible results. San Antonio has no rainy sea- 
son, is absolutely free from malaria at all times, and its dry, warm, 
balmy winters make it a natural haven for people from colder lati- 
tudes. 

The San Antonio hot water contains 285.5 grains of mineral to 
the gallon, chief among which is free sulphur, the virtues of which 
as a skin and blood remedy are known to every one. No other 

known water carries 
this amount of free sul- 
phur i n conjunction 
with natural heat. 
Among its other con- 
stituents are : bromide 
of sodium, a valuable 
nerve tonic; carbonate 
of magnesia, a gentle 
laxative; lithia, invalu- 
able in the treatment 
of kidney diseases; 
iodide of sodium and sesquioxide of iron, blood purifiers and general 
tonics; phosphate of soda, a regulator of both liver and bowels; 
chloride of sodium, a fine tonic in the bath and of great value in 
malarial cases. 

The bath house and natatorium is handsome and modern in 
design, construction and finish, and is surpassed by none in the 
country in the perfection of its appointments. It contains forty-five 
private bath rooms for the hot sulphur baths, with tile floors and 
marble partitions, equipped with solid porcelain tubs. There are 
separate departments for vapor, Turkish, Russian, Roman, needle 
and shower baths, and skillful masseurs are in attendance. 
Spacious parlors, and cooling rooms at graded temperatures, have 
been provided, as well as 200 individual dressing rooms for bathers. 
The bath house has three large plunge baths or swimming pools, 
each 64 by 90 feet, lined with white enameled brick, one for ladies, 




San Antonio River, near Sulphur Wells Hotel. 



102 



one for gentlemen and one for mixed parties. These pools are 
supplied with the hot salt-sulphur water and are emptied and 
thoroughly cleaned every 48 hours, besides being freshened with 
a constant supply of 100,000 gallons daily running in and out of the 
pools. Cold showers are provided after using the pools. These 
pools are exclusively for pleasure bathers; invalids are not per- 
mitted to use them. 




103 



SOUTH TEXAS. 



"THE GULF COAST COUNTIES." 



What is known as the Gulf Coast Country of Texas borders 
on the Gulf of Mexico and extending from fifty to seventy-five 
miles inland, runs from the Sabine river, on the east (the State 
lines of Louisiana and Texas), westward to Corpus Christi. The 
counties embraced in this section, immediately tributary to the 
Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, are: Harris, Galveston, Bastrop, 
Fayette, Colorado, Austin, Waller, Fort Bend, Wharton, Matagorda, 
Brazoria, Liberty and Jefferson. 

The entire section is prairie land, about one-fifth of the area 
being rich alluvial river bottom lands. 

The prairie soil, as a rule, is very fertile, producing great quan- 
tities of early fruits and vegetables for Northern and home mar- 
kets; also semi-tropical fruits. The rice industry in this section 
has developed rapidly during the past two years and has proved 
to be a most valuable crop (see article on rice, appearing else- 
where), while on the 
river bottoms of the 
Brazos, Colorado, Trin- 
ity, Caney and other 
rivers, large crops of 
sugar cane, cotton and 
corn are produced. The 
river lands of South 
Texas are recognized 
as being the richest 
sugar and cotton lands 
in the United States, 
producing from twenty 
to twenty-five tons of cane per acre, worth on an average of four 
dollars per ton; and from one to one and a half bales of cotton per 
acre. 

The surface is sufficiently rolling to afford good drainage. The 
lands are easily cultivated. Pure drinking water is to be had at a 
depth of from twenty to sixty feet. Artesian wells, at a depth of 
from 400 to 800 feet, furnish an inexhaustible supply of water. 




A Harris County Home. 



105 



Large tracts of fine timber border the rivers, and motts of live 
oak and other timber are scattered over the broad prairies. 

The climate is one of the chief attractions of this section. The 
temperature is rarely above 95 degrees or below 20 degrees Fahren- 
heit. A continuous Gulf breeze makes this a delightfully healthful 
climate the year round. 

It is an excellent stock country, known far and wide as the 
greatest breeding section of the United States. An abundance of 
nutritious grasses, covering the prairies, furnishes ample food, and 
the short, mild winter makes cattle raising a profitable industry. 
The cattle raised in this section are being graded up very rapidly. 

COUNTY ASSESSOR'S REPORT. 



COUNTY 



ASSESSED 
VALUATION 



TAXES 



LIVE STOCK 



No. of Head 

1895 1900 



VALUE 
1895 1900 



Bastrop ... 
Fayette . . . 
Colorado . . 
Wharton . . 
Matagorda 

Austin 

Waller 

Harris 

Galveston . 



5 5,587,555 
8,308,000 
5,410,178 
3,852,493 
3,120,412 
3,947,924 
3,280,966 
26,939,265 
20,200,500 



$ 6,235,710 
8,468,350 
5,924,690 
5,045,952 
3,414,650 
4,060,837 
3,145,562 
34,102,993 
25,998,590 



i 55,460 
82,900 
54,909 
38,690 
32,985 
38,597 
36,789 
301,326 
172,936 



$ 62,655 
83,450 
62,766 
57,450 
35,241 
37,872 
35,813 
341,556 
289,447 



34,194 
63,932 
34,959 
11,268 
87,819 
28,860 
27,019 
37,251 
13,298 



38,086 
50,724 
34,085 
35,650 
77,711 
23,422 
25,332 
58,938 
11,127 



$325, 
820. 
420. 

us: 

603. 
256! 

204: 

291. 

132: 



$516,486 
618,150 
445,995 
421,260 
779,653 
256,285 
225,800 
476,020 
107,219 



BASTROP COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

Organized in 1837, this 
county has an area of 503,920 
acres, with 210,000 acres in 
cultivation. Population, 26,- 
845. The county produced 
in 1900, 35,054 bales of cot- 
ton, valued at $1,577,430; 
corn, 620,000 bushels, and 
other products, valued at 

$793,400; total value of farm products, $2,620,830. The live stock 

interest is large, and the stock is well graded. 




Cotton Platform, Bastrop. 



106 




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Schools and Churches. 



There are 107 schools, employing 204 teachers and receiving 
from the school fund $33,608. There are 120 church organizations 
with many handsome buildings. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands may be purchased at $20 to $30 per acre; unim- 
proved lands at $5 to $15 per acre. 

Banks. 

Three banks have on deposit over $275,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, in addition to another 
line, affords good transportation facilities. 

Towns. 

BASTROP, the county seat (population, 3,000), has good schools, 
churches, and a number of large mercantile establishments. The 

town has a good system of 
waterworks and electric lights, 
cotton seed oil mill, and several 
other industries. 

Smithville, an important di- 
vision point on the Missouri, 
Kansas and Texas Railway, is 
the largest town in the county, 
having a population of 3,500. 
The shops of the railway are lo- 
cated here, giving employment 
to a large number of men. 
The town has a good system 
of public schools, fine churches, 
a Young Men's Christian Asso- 
ciation building, cotton seed oil mill, compress, and good mercan- 
tile houses. 

Elgin, with 2,000 population, is located in a fine country, and 
enjoys a large trade. It is the junction of the M. K. & T. and H. 
& T. C. Rys. All mercantile lines are well represented. The schools 
are of the highest order, and the leading religious denominations 
are represented by handsome churches. 




A Star Crop. 



108 



FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

This is among the oldest 
counties in the State. Organ- 
ized in 1837, it contains 526,320 
acres, of which 210,000 acres 
are in cultivation, and Has a 
population of 36,542, mostly in- 
dustrious German farmers. The 
soil is very productive; the crop 
report of 1900 shows the county 
produced 40,832 bales of cotton, 
valued at $1,837,340; of corn, 
1,240,000 bushels; oats, 60,000 

bushels; other products valued at $910,000; total value of farm 

products amounting to $3,289,840. 

Schools and Churches. 

The county has good schools, supported by the State public 




Jersey Cows. 



school fund, 
tions. 



The churches are numerous and of varied denomina- 



Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are to be had at 
proved lands $8 to $15 per acre. 



to $45 per acre; unim- 



Banks. 

The county has five banks, with deposits of $450,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

There are three railroad lines, including the Missouri, Kansas 
& Texas Railway. 

Towns. 

LAGRANGE, the county seat, is an attractive town, with a good 
system of waterworks and electric lights, fine schools and hand- 
some churches, and an imposing court house, a cotton seed oil mill 
and a compress. All lines of business are well represented. 

Other Towns. 

West Point, Flatonia, Schulenberg, and Fayetteville, are grow- 
ing towns, located in good farming sections, and have the best of 
school, church and railroad facilities. 



110 




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COLORADO COUNTY. 




Oat Field. 



Area and Population. 

Colorado County has an area of 614,400 acres, with 120.000 acres 

in cultivation, and a population 
of 22,203. The principal pro- 
ducts are cotton, corn, rice, 
fruit and vegetables. The rice 
crop has proven very profitable, 
having been developed in the 
last few years. The acreage for 
1901 was 15,000 acres, produc- 
ing on an average 40 bushels 
per acre. The rice companies 
have an extensive system of 
canals, taking water from the 

Colorado river. Artesian well irrigation for the farmers operating 

on a smaller scale has proven profitable. 

The county also produces large crops of sugar cane, the yield 

being as high as 20 tons per acre, worth $4 per ton. 

The live stock industry is an important one, stock being raised 

at a small expense. 

Schools and Churches. 

The county has 126 schools, employing 140 teachers. It re- 
ceives from the school fund $30,000. There are 150 church organ- 
izations in the county. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands on sale at $15 to $20 per acre; unimproved 
lands $6 to $15 per acre. 

Banks. 

There are four banks in the county, with deposits of $450,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, the Cane Belt Railway, 
connecting with the "Katy" at Sealy, and two other lines, afford 
good transportation facilities. 

Towns. 

COLUMBUS, the county seat, one of the oldest towns in the 
county, has good schools and churches, a fine court house, and a 
number of large mercantile establishments. 

112 



Eagle Lake is growing rapidly, being the center of the rice and 
sugar districts. It is well built, with the best of shipping facilities, 
good schools and churches, several large mercantile houses, a rice 
mill, sugar mill, and a number of other important industries. 

Rock Island is a new town of Northern people, with good 
schools and churches, business houses and attractive residences. 
Rice is being grown extensively in this section. 

Garwood, another new town, is located in a good country, and 
is developing rapidly; rice growing being the leading industry. 

Chesterville, located in the eastern part of the county, has made 
a splendid record. 



AUSTIN COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

Austin County is in the midst of one of the finest farming sec- 
tions of Southern Texas. The Brazos river forms the eastern 
boundary. Organized in 1837, it has a population of 20,676, and an 
area of 455,040 acres, of which about one-third is in cultivation. 
Cotton, corn, fruits and vegetables are the principal crops. Fruit 
and vegetables are shipped to northern markets. 

Schools and Churches. 

The county has a good system of public schools, receiving from 
the State school fund, $21,598. 

The religious organizations are well represented. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are. sold at $20 to $30 per acre; unimproved 
lands $6 to $10 per acre: 

Railway Facilities. 

There are four railroad lines in the county. The Missouri, Kan- 
sas & Texas Railway passes through the center of the county from 
east to west, forming a junction with the Cane Belt Railway at 
Sealy. 

Towns. 

SEALY, population 1,000, is the junction point of the Missouri, 
Kansas & Texas and Cane Belt Railways. It is an important rail- 
road center and is growing rapidly in importance as a distributing 
point. All lines of business are in a flourishing condition. Belle- 
ville, the county seat, population 1,400; Cat Springs, 1,200; New 
Ulm, 600; Industry, 350, and Wallis, 300, are important business 
centers. 

113 



WALLER COUNTY. 




Area and Population. 

Situated on the Brazos river, in the southeastern portion of the 
State, this county, organized in 1873, has a population of 14,246. It 
contains 319,360 acres, of which one-half is in cultivation. There is 

an immense body of land 
on the Brazos river, of a 
deep reddish-brown alluvi- 
um, which is highly produc- 
tive and susceptible of con- 
tinuous cultivation. Cotton, 
corn and sugar cane, pota- 
toes and other vegetables 

yield well. Fruits are also 
Picking Beans near Brookshire. ... , .... 

raised in large quantities. 

About two-thirds of the county is prairie land, covered with native 

grasses, furnishing a fine range the entire year for large herds of 

cattle. 

Schools and Churches. 

There are fifty-seven public schools, two colleges and a State 
Normal. The State school appropriation is $16,330. All the leading 
denominations are represented by some forty churches. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are sold at $15 to $25 per acre; unimproved 
lands $5 to $10. 

Banks. 

The county has two banks, with deposits of $100,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway passes through the 
southern part of the county from east to west, and affords ample 
shipping facilities. 

Towns. 

HEMPSTEAD, the county seat (population, 2,500), has a large 
cotton seed oil mill, and several other industries. It is a well built 
town, with a large volume of trade. 

Brookshire, on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, in the 
southern part of the county, is the center of the fruit and vegetable 
growing district. Waller and Patterson are the other principal 
towns. 

114 



FORT BEND COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

This county, organized in 
1837, now has a population of 
16,538. It contains 568,960 
acres, of which one-third is 
in cultivation. The Brazos 
river traverses the county 
from the northwest to the 
southeast. Its wide bottom 
lands are of deep alluvial 
soil, very fertile, and produc- 
ing large crops of corn, cot- 
ton and sugar cane. The 
sugar industry has developed 
rapidly, and has proven re- 
munerative. One of the 
largest sugar refineries and 
paper mills in the South is 
located at Sugarland. 

Schools and Churches. 




'Twas dis a-way. 



The county has good schools and churches, 
fund is $15,898. 



The State school 



Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands can be purchased at $15 to $30 per acre; unim- 
proved lands $5 to $10 per acre. 

Railway Facilities. 

The county has four railroad lines, affording good transportation 
facilities. 

Towns. 

RICHMOND, the county seat (population, 1,600); Sugarland, 
1,000, and Rosenberg, 500, are the most important towns in the 
county. All lines of business are represented. 



115 



WHARTON COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

Organized in 1846, Wharton County now has a population of 
16,942, with an area of 750,080 acres, of which 70,000 acres are in 
cultivation. Sugar, rice, cotton and corn are profitably grown. The 
production of rice and sugar cane is increasing each year, and these 
crops now rank as leading staples. 

Schools and Churches. 

Sixty-four schools, with a school fund of ip20,487, and many good 
churches, give the best of educational facilities. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated at $20 to $40 per acre; unimproved 
lands $6 to $10 per acre. 

Banks. 

Two banks have deposits of $125,000, and yearly handle large 
sums in transacting the business incident to the marketing of rice 
and sugar cane. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Cane Belt Railway, connecting with the Missouri, Kansas 
& Texas at Sealy, gives good shipping facilities. 

Towns. 

WHARTON, the county seat, is the largest town in the county, 
having a good system of public schools, a number of churches, a 
sugar mill, a cotton seed oil mill, good mercantile establishments, 
and a splendid country trade. 

El Campo, with a population of 1,000, is located in a good farm- 
ing and stock country- 

Lane City, a new town on the Cane Belt R. R., is growing 
rapidly, being situated in the center of the rice and sugar-growing 
district. 





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MATAGORDA COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

Bordering on the Gulf, this county has an area of 913,920 acres, 
with 45,000 acres in cultivation. The population has nearly doubled 
in the past few years. The cultivation of rice is the leading in- 
dustry. The county has a number of large irrigation canals, and 
produced in 1901 nearly a million bushels of rice. Cotton, corn and 
fruits are also grown successfully. The "Caney Bottom Lands" are 
noted for their wonderful fertility. 

Schools and Churches. 

The county has thirty-three schools. The school fund is $7,688. 
There are forty churches, of leading denominations. 



Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are sold at $15 to 
$8 to $15 per acre. 



per acre; unimproved 



Banks. 

The county has one bank, at Bay City, with deposits of $75,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Cane Belt Railway affords good shipping facilities in 
connection with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway at Sealy. 

Towns. 

BAY CITY, the county seat, is one of the important towns, having 
a population of 1,200, with good business houses, a fine court house, 







Threshing Rice near Bay City. 
118 



a good system of schools, a number of churches, and attractive 
residences. 

Matagorda, with 500 population, is one of the oldest towns in 
this part of the State, located on Matagorda Bay; it has solid busi- 
ness houses, good schools and church organizations, and is the 
headquarters for the duck hunters during the winter. 



HARRIS COUNTY. 

Area and Population. 

The area of the county is 1800 square miles, with about one- 
fourth in cultivation. The population in 1900 was 63,786. It is a 
prairie county, well watered, producing abundant crops of cotton, 
rice, fruits and vegetables; a large acreage is in rice. 

Schools and Churches. 

The county has a sufficiency of good public schools, a number 
of business colleges and private schools. The church organizations 
number about ninety, with many handsome and expensive edifices. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands sell at $15 to $40 per acre; unimproved lands 
$10 to $20 per acre. 

Banks. 

There are eight banks, their clearings for the year of 1901 
amounting to $404,301,440. 

Railway Facilities. 

The county has excellent transportation facilities, there being 
fourteen railroads other than the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway. 

Cities and Towns. 

HOUSTON, the county seat, has a population of 44,633. It is the 
greatest railway center of the State, and does a very large business 
in all lines. 

La Porte, one of the great resorts of the State, has a promising 
future as a shipping point of considerable importance. Katy, Genoa, 
Harrisburg and Webster are thriving towns, all having good schools, 
and located in a fine fruit and vegetable section, with good shipping 
facilities. 

119 




1 — Buffalo Bayou. 

2 — Main Street. 

3— M. K. & T. Ry. Station. 



4 — One of Houston's Churches. 
5 — Office Buildings. 
6 — Residence Street. 



HOUSTON 

Is the great railroad and commercial center of the South, and the 
center of the lumber, sugar, rice and oil interests of Texas. 

Is a modernly built city, with many handsome office buildings, 
large wholesale and retail stores, an extensive electric street rail- 
way system, many miles of well paved streets, beautiful parks, a 
fine system of public schools, and many handsome residences and 
expensive churches. 

There are fourteen railroads entering the city, including the 
Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway. 

The eight banks show clearings for 1901 amounting to $466,426,- 
159, as compared with 1900 clearings of $394,859,480 — an increase 
over 1900 of $71,566,679. 

Total tonnage of freight of the railroads converging at Houston 
for the past fiscal year, 5,595,152 tons. 

The Census Bulletin, issued January, 1901, shows the manufac- 
turing interests of Houston as follows: j n _ 

1900. 1890. crease. 

Number of establishments 507 210 141.4 

Capital $ 6,925,865 $3,509,434 97.3 

Wage-earners — average number. . . 4,580 2,711 68.9 

Total wages 2,405,770 1,353,628 77.7 

Miscellaneous expenses 662,012 315,114 111.4 

Cost materials used, including the 

custom work and repairing. . . 5,735,703 3,638,205 57.7 

Value of products 10,568,175 6,832,943 54.7 

Manufacturing and industrial establishments, including cotton 
compresses, cotton seed oil mills, rice and lumber mills, breweries, 




Orchard near Houston. 
121 



and a number of other enterprises; capital employed, about $10,- 
000,000. 

The principal industries of the city are now using Texas oil for 
fuel, instead of wood and coal, at a great saving. 

Sales of merchandise and manufactured articles (estimated), 
$65,000,000. 

Houston holds the world's record on cotton receipts — 2,534,050 
bales for one season. 

The city is making a very rapid growth, and all lines of busi- 
ness show a remarkable increase. 




Jacks and Jennets. 



GALVESTON COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

With an area of 673 square miles, of which about one-fourth is 
in cultivation, Galveston County boasts of a population of 44,116. 
There is very little farming done in the county, the lands in culti- 
vation being in fruits and vegetables, for which the soil is especially 
adapted. The excellent shipping facilities and home markets make 
this a profitable industry. 

Schools and Churches. 

There are twenty-five public schools in the county, employing 
one hundred and ten teachers, receiving from the school fund 

122 



$30,000; fine city schools and colleges, the State Medical School, 
and a number of private schools and business colleges. 

The church organizations number thirty, with many handsome 
and expensive buildings. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands may be bought at $20 to $50 per acre; unim- 
proved lands $10 to $20 per acre. , 

Banks. 

There are nine banks, with clearings in 1901 amounting to 
$378,435,800. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway and four other lines 
afford the best of transportation facilities. 

Cities and Towns. 

GALVESTON, the county seat, with a population (1901) of 37,789, 
is the great sea port of Texas and the Southwest. 

Other Towns. 

Dickinson, League City, Texas City and Lamarque are good 
towns, with schools and churches. The principal industry is fruit 
and vegetable raising. 




"Along the Way." 
123 




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GALVESTON. 

Galveston is located on a deep water harbor, and has excellent 
railway facilities, extensive wharfs and terminals. It is a port for 
twenty-three lines of European steamers, two lines to Mexico, one 

line to Cuba, two lines to 
New York, and two lines to 
Japan and the far East. 
Thus it will be seen that Gal- 
veston is to the great South- 
west what New York City is 
to the Eastern and Central 
States. 

Notwithstanding the ca- 
lamity that befell this beau- 
Strawberries, Galveston County. ,.- , ., . ,, , , 

tiful city m the great de- 
structive tidal wave in October, 1900, the city has been rebuilt and 
many new enterprises are planned. The volume of business dur- 
ing the year 1901 shows a healthy increase. 

The bank clearings for the year 1901 were $378,435,800, com- 
pared with $323,506,300 for 1900. 

During the same year, 1,961,380 bales of cotton, valued at 
$85,857,145, were exported through Galveston, compared with 1,535,- 
202 bales, valued at $73,333,364, in 1900. 

The wheat exports through Galveston during 1901 were 15,704,- 
465 bushels, valued at $11,476,205, compared with 14,180,345 bushels, 
valued at $8,999,073, for 1900. 

The flour exported amounted to 144,073 barrels, valued at 
$472,607. 

During 1901, 18,071 carloads of grain were received at Galveston, 
compared with 17,624 cars received during 1900. 

The lumber exported for 1901 amounted to 31,423,000 feet, 
valued at nearly half a million dollars. 

There were 347 vessels clearing from Galveston in the foreign 
trade during 1901, with a net tonnage of 786,100. 

Galveston wharf and terminal facilities are equal in convenience 
to any port in the country, having greater wharfage area than any 
other port except New York. 

During 1901, 91,950 loaded cars were handled in the yards of 
the Galveston Wharf Company, compared with 82,374 cars handled 
during 1900. 

The receipts for the Galveston Post Office for 1901 were the 
largest in its history. 

125 



During 1901 over $4,000,000 were spent for permanent improve- 
ments. 

Galveston is noted for its many beautiful homes, fine churches, 
and unexcelled educational facilties. The State Medical College is 
located here. 

The wholesale business is large, having a number of large 
grocery, dry goods and clothing houses. 

Galveston now has a storage capacity of over 3,000,000 bushels 
of grain, having three immense elevators, and can handle 70,000,000 
bushels during a season. 



BRAZORIA COUNTY. 




Cotton Field. 



Area and Population. 

Organized in 1837, 
the county contains 
946,560 acres, with 
about a fifth in culti- 
vation. The Brazos 
river flows through the 
center of the county 
from the north to the 
south. The ground is 
nearly level, about half 
of it being covered 

with valuable timber. 
The soil is exceedingly rich, yielding large crops of cotton, corn, 
sugar cane, fruits and vegetables. The population is 14,861. 

Schools and Churches. 

The educational facilities are good. The public schools receive 
from the State school fund $19,973 for their maintainance. 

The leading religious organizations are represented by good 
churches. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands sold at $15 to $30 per acre; unimproved lands 
$6 to $12 per acre. 

Railway Facilities. 

The county is traversed by three railroad lines. 

126 



Towns. 

ANGLETON, the county seat, has a population of 600; Velasco, 
600; Alvin, 1,000; Columbia, 1,000, and Brazoria, 400. These are the 
most important towns in the county, and are good business locations. 

Alvin is located in the center of the fruit and vegetable-growing 
district; a very large acreage is devoted to this industry. 



LIBERTY COUNTY. 




Area and Population. 

Organized in 1837, this county has a population of 8,102. It is 
situated in Southeastern Texas, and contains 750,080 acres, about one- 
fourth being in cultivation. 
The general surface is level, 
about one-fourth of the coun- 
ty is prairie, furnishing fine 
range for stock. The remain- 
der is nearly all wooded, with 
long leaf pine, oak and hick- 
ory. The principal crops are 
cotton, corn, rice, fruits and 
Cotton Compress. vegetables. A very large 

acreage is devoted to rice 
growing, and there is an extensive system of canals. 

Schools and Churches. 

The public schools receive $7,813 from the State school fund. 
The various religious organizations are well represented. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated at $15 to $25 per acre; unimproved 
lands $5 to $10 per acre. 

Railway Facilities. 

The county has two railroad lines, furnishing good transpor- 
tation facilities. 



Towns. 

LIBERTY, the county seat (population 900), and Dayton (popu- 
lation 300), are the principal towns. 

127 



JEFFERSON COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

This county is located in the extreme southeastern part of the 
State, on the Gulf of Mexico. It was organized in 1838, and con- 
tains 660,480 acres, with about one-fourth in cultivation. The rice 
acreage amounts to nearly 35,000 acres, with about eighty miles of 
canals. This county has attracted world-wide attention owing to 
the recent oil discoveries in and about Beaumont. 

Schools and Churches. 

The county has thirty-nine schools, employing forty-nine teach- 
ers, and receives from the State school fund the sum of $27,630. 
All the leading religious denominations are represented. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated $25 to $50 per acre; unimproved 
lands $15 to $20 per acre. 

Banks. 

The six banks in the county have deposits of over $4,000,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The county has several railroad lines, affording adequate trans- 
portation facilities. 

Towns. 

BEAUMONT, the county seat (population 9,427), is the lumber, 
rice and oil center of Southeastern Texas. It has a good system 
of public schools, many costly churches, imposing business blocks, 
and many handsome residences. Since the wonderful oil develop- 
ment the growth of Beaumont has been very rapid. The leading 
industries are represented by several large rice mills, extensive saw 
and planing mills, an iron foundry, large wholesale jobbing houses, 
oil refineries, and a number of other plants. The city is well built, 
and has all modern improvements. 

Port Arthur (population 900) and Sabine Pass (400) are both 
deep water ports, and transact a large business. 



128 



EAST TEXAS COUNTIES, 



"THE FRUIT AND TIMBER BELT. 



East Texas, traversed by the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, 
comprises Hopkins, Rains, Wood, Camp, Morris, Cass, Marion, Har- 
rison, Trinity, Polk and Tyler 
Counties. This section of the 
State is heavily timbered with 
fine merchantable woods, mak- 
ing the lumber industry very 
important. Large deposits of 
brown hematite iron ores, as 
well as large bodies of lignite 
and potter's clay, are found in 
Camp, Cass, Marion and Harri- 
son Counties. The natural re- 
sources afford many opportuni- 
ties for industrial development. 
Building material is very cheap, 
and fuel can be had for the 
cutting. 

The sandy loams and red soils of this section are especially 
adapted to the growth of fine fruits and vegetables and high grade 
tobacco. As the "Fruit Belt" this section of the State is known 
far and wide (the articles of fruits shown herein show the develop- 
ment and large profits that are being made in this line). Fair crops 
of cotton, corn and cereals are also grown. East Texas has a great 
abundance of pure water in wells at a depth of from 15 to 25 feet 
and from the numerous springs. 

Lands are cheap and can be purchased on very favorable terms. 

COUNTY ASSESSOR'S REPORT. 




Packing Peaches. 



COUNTY 



ASSESSED 
VALUATION 



TAXES 



LIVE STOCK 



No. of Head 

1895 1900 



VALUE 
1895 1900 



Hopkins 

Rains 

Wood 

Camp 

Morris .. 
Marion . . 
Harrison 
Trinity . 

Polk 

Tyler 



$4,669,538 
933,349 
1,611,011 
1,122,233 
795,823 
1,738,416 
3,969,359 
1,834,021 
2,688,208 
1,864,492 



$5,662,595 
1,233,365 
3,463,420 
1,238,105 
961,626 
1,600,213 
4,856,975 
2,050,000 
3,056,258 
1,958,829 



$57,153 
12,819 
16,702 
16,951 

9,822 
26,500 
69,739 

7,900 
22,275 
22,700 

129 



$57,949 
14,504 
38,385 
19,125 
11,899 
23,825 
52,081 
10,056 
30,640 
22,860 



66,614 
14,423 
25,072 

5,891 
15,534 

6,358 
29,961 

6,260 
47,616 
34,117 



55,422 
21,345 
40,895 
11,429 
11,221 
10,958 
28,186 
17,025 
49,224 
30,656 



$407,672 
108,557 

43,496 

56,778 
113,868 

39,694 
294,267 

53,750 
294,453 
196,613 



$566,550 
158,460 
176,583 
103,466 
108,148 
104,351 
379,495 
152,000 
314,797 
176,889 



HOPKINS COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

Of the 504,787 acres, 336,- 
500 are under cultivation in 
the 2,700 farms of this county. 
Organized in 1846, it now has 
a population of 27,950. Locat- 
ed in the East Texas timber 
belt, besides lumber, the coun- 
ty produces large crops of cot- 
ton, corn, fruits and vegeta- 
bles, for the growth of which 
the soil is especially adapted. 
There are many large orchards 
and a large acreage devoted to vegetables. 




Cotton Compress. 



Schools and Churches. 

The county has fine educational facilities; 100 public schools, 
125 teachers, receiving from the school fund $33,378; a normal 
school and a good college. 

The religious organizations number over 100, of the leading 
denominations. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are to be had at from $10 to $20 per acre; unim- 
proved lands from $6 to $10 per acre. 

Banks. 

The three banks have deposits amounting to $780,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

In addition to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, there is 
one other road traversing the county, giving a good outlet to north- 
ern markets. 

Towns. 

SULPHUR SPRINGS, the county seat, has a population of 4,500. 
The town has a handsome $100,000 court house, a normal school, 
college, a fine system of public schools, and a number of fine 
church buildings. The industries are: Two cotton seed oil mills, 
ice plant, bottling works, tannery, bonnet factory, pressed brick 
plant, cotton compress, three furniture factories, and a number of 
wholesale houses. 

Cumby, with 1,000 population, is another good town, in a 
flourishing district. 

130 



RAINS COUNTY. 




Onions. 



Area and Population. 

A county containing 170,880 
acres, with about 60,000 acres in 
cultivation. Two-thirds of the 
county is covered with heavy 
timber. Farming and stock 
raising are the principal means 
of livelihood on the 1,500 farms 
in the county. Vegetables and 
small fruits are grown success- 
fully. The population in 1900 
was 6,127, having increased ■ 
about 2,500 since the previous 
census. 
Schools and Churches. 

There are thirty schools in the county, employing forty teach- 
ers, receiving $10,000 from the State school fund. There are thirty 
churches of leading denominations. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated from $8 to $20 per acre; unimproved 
lands from $4 to $15 per acre. 
Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway passes almost centrally 
through the county and is the main outlet for northern markets. 

Towns. 

EMORY, the county seat, has a population of 600; Point, 300. 
These are the principal towns. All lines of business are well repre- 
sented and in a flourishing condition. 




131 




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WOOD COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

One of the timber counties of East Texas, with an area of 
259,774 acres, of which about 90,000 acres are in cultivation. Or- 
ganized in 1850, it now has a population of 21,048. Located in the 
fruit belt, fruit and truck farming are given a great deal of at- 
tention. The county produces good crops of cotton and corn, and 
stock raising is an important industry. 

Schools and Churches. 

There are 84 schools in the county, employing 95 teachers, re- 
ceiving from the school fund $25,498. The churches number 75, of 
the leading denominations. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated from $12 to $20 per acre; unimproved 
from $6 to $10 per acre. 

Banks. 

The two banks have deposits amounting to $125,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, with two other lines, 
serve the county with good transportation facilities. 

The Principal Towns in the County are: 

MINEOLA with a population of 1,725; Winsboro 1,000, and Quit- 
man, the county seat, 300; all are live, progressive towns, with every 
line of business well represented. Goods schools and churches. In- 
dustries, such as lumber and 
shingle mills, cotton seed oil 
mills, cotton compresses, and 
creameries. 

EL BERTA, a new town, lo- 
cated 16 miles southeast of 
Winsboro, on the Texas 
Southern Railway, is being 
Lumber Yard, Winsboro. colonized principally by 

people from the North, and bids fair to soon be a prosperous, thriv- 
ing community. Orchards are being planted, and with the splendid 
facilities for mai'keting products, it promises to be one of the most 
important fruit and vegetable centers of East Texas. 

133 




CAMP COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

In the timbered district of the State is Camp County, with an 
area of 128,640 acres, of which 52,000 acres are in cultivation. Or- 
ganized in 1874, the population now is 9,146. The products are 
cotton and corn, fruits and vegetables. There are a number of large 
peach orchards in the county, and the fruit and truck farming has 
proven very profitable. 

Schools and Churches. 

The county has good public schools, employing 52 teachers, 
receiving for their support the sum of $12,690. There is also a fine 
college and several private schools. The churches number 40, of 
the leading denominations. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are for sale at from $12 to $25 per acre; unim- 
proved lands from $6 to $10 per acre. 

Banks. 

There are two banks, with deposits of $150,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway traverses the county 
and affords good shipping facilities in every direction. 

Towns. 

PITTSBURG, the county seat, is located in the center of the 
county, in a prosperous territory. It has a population of 2,000; a 
good system of public schools and a $13,000 college; Carnegie li- 
brary costing $12,000, and a number of fine churches. The town is 
growing rapidly and has a promising future. The industries are: a 
furniture factory, an oil mill, textile, woolen and cotton mills, foun- 
dry and an electric light plant. 

Pittsburg has, within reach, large fields of lignite or brown 
coal, and fire clay, beside the railroad track about three miles from 
the city, and within equal distance are inexhaustible hills of brown 
hematite iron ore of the finest quality, and adjoining these are great 
forests of pine, gum, oak and other hard wood timbers. 

Leesburg, with 300 population, and Pine, with 150, are the other 
towns of importance. 

134 



MORRIS COUNTY. 




Area and Population. 

Located in the northeast- 
ern part of the State, this 
county was formerly heavily 
timbered; with a total area 
of 155,322 acres, 110,000 acres 
are under cultivation. Or- 
ganized in 1875, it has a popu- 
lation of 8,220. The principal 
products are cotton, corn 
fruits and vegetables. 

Schools and Churches. 

The thirty-seven schools employ fifty teachers, and receive for 
their support the sum of $12,175. There are thirty church organiza- 
tions. 



East Texas Tomatoes. 



Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are for sale at from $6 to $10 per acre; unim- 
proved lands from $4 to $6 per acre. 

Banks. 

The three banks have deposits amounting to $200,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

There is one other line in addition to the Missouri, Kansas & 
Texas Railway that traverses the county. 

Towns. 

DAINGERFIELD (population 1,000), the county seat, enjoys a 
large trade, has good mercantile establishments, cotton seed oil 
mills, a cotton gin factory, and a good system of public schools, and 
several churches. There are large shipments of fruit and vegetables 
from Daingerfield each year, considerable attention being paid to 
fruit and vegetable culture in this section. 

Other Towns are: 

Omaha with 750 population, and Naples with 800, are both good 
business locations. 

135 



CASS COUNTY. 




Negro Cabin. 



Area and Population. 

Organized in 1846, with a 
total of 652,178 acres, of which 
about one-third is in cultivation, 
Cass County now has a popula- 
tion of 22,841. The general sur- 
face of the county is undulating. 
Three-fourths of the county is 
covered with a heavy growth of 
oak, pine, hickory, cypress and 
walnut timber. Cotton and corn 
are grown successfully, but the 
soil is especially adapted to the 
growth of fruits and vegetables. 
Apples grown here are very 
superior in flavor and perfect 
in form 

Schools and Churches. 

The county has 96 schools, 

employing over 200 teachers, re- 
ceiving from the school fund over $30,000 for their support. The 
various religious organizations are well represented, with a number 
of fine church edifices. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated from $10 to $15 per acre; unimproved 
lands from $5 to $8 per acre. 

Railway Facilities. 

The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway and two other rail- 
road lines furnisn good shipping facilities. 

Towns. 

LINDEN, the county seat, with a population of 600; Atlanta, 
2,000; Queen City, 800, and Hughes Springs, 400, are the important 
towns in the county. Hughes Springs, on the line of the Missouri, 
Kansas & Texas Railway, is a well-known summer resort, and is 
noted for the curative powers of the waters in cases of malaria and 
other fevers. 

These towns all transact a large business, and are in a very 
flourishing condition. 

136 



MARION COUNTY. 




Area and Population. 

The area of the county is 258,630 acres, with 60,000 acres in 

cultivation. It was organized in 1860, and has a population of 10,754. 

The county is in the northeast- 
ern part of the State, the Louisi- 
ana State line forming the east- 
ern boundary. The principal 
crops are cotton, corn, fruit and 
vegetables, and stock raising is 
an important industry. Iron 
ore in large quantities is found 
in several parts of the county. 
It has been used for a number of 
Saw Mill, Jefferson. years in the manufacture of 

plows, stoves, car wheels, etc. 

This ore is said to make the finest car wheels of any ore in the 

world. 

Schools and Churches. 

The county has 57 schools, with 66 teachers, and receives from 
the school fund the sum of $16,306. There are 125 churches, with 
many fine buildings. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated at from $6 to $12 per acre; unim- 
proved lands from $4 to $6 per acre. 

Banks. 

There is one bank in the county, with deposits of $130,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

The county is traversed by the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Rail- 
way. 

Towns. 

JEFFERSON, the county seat, has a population of 2,800, and is 
the principal town of the county. It has a number of churches, a 
good school system, a cotton compress, a cotton seed oil mill, iron 
works, a plow factory, flouring mill, several large lumber mills, a 
new Federal court house and post office building. 

The Other Towns are: 

Kellyville, Smithland, Lodi, Lasater and Hartsaw, are in a 
flourishing condition with bright prospects of future growth. 



HARRISON COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

The county contains 574,884 acres, with about one-half in culti- 
vation, the principal crops being cotton, corn, fruits and vegetables. 
Organized in 1845, in North- 
eastern Texas, on the 
boundary line of Texas and 
Louisiana, it is one of the 
oldest counties in East 
Texas. The census of 1900 
gives the population as 31,- 
878. 

Schools and Churches. 

There are 130 public 
schools in the county, em- 
ploying 149 teachers, and receiving for their support from the 
State school fund $38,856. In addition to the fine system of pub- 
lic schools, there are several colleges. The religious organizations 
number over 100, with many costly churches. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are to be had at from 
proved lands from $4 to $8 per acre. 




Cotton Compress. 



to $15 per acre; unim- 



Banks. 

The two banks in the county have on deposit $750,000. 
Railway Facilities. 

The county has fine railway facilities. In addition to the 
Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, there are three other lines 
traversing the county. The Texas Southern Railway has recently 

been completed from Mar- 
shall to Winsboro, connect- 
ing with the Missouri, Kan- 
sas & Texas Railway at that 
point, giving this county a 
great impetus. 

Towns and Cities. 

MARSHALL, the county 

seat, with a population of 

10,000, is one of the im- 

Peanuts. portant cities in Northeast 

139 




Texas. It has a fine system of public schools, several colleges, 
many x costly churches, and handsome residences. The leading in- 
dustries are: a large car wheel works, iron foundries, cotton com- 
press, cotton gins, saw and planing mills, ice factories, and a 
number of other manufacturing plants. 

Other Important Towns are: 

Hallville, population 300; Jonesville, 200, and Waskom, 300. 



TRINITY COUNTY. 

Area and Population. 

This county, organized in 1850, contains 453,120 acres, of which 
about one-fourth is in cultivation. The principal crops are cotton, 
corn, fruits and vegetables. At Glendale are located large com- 
mercial orchards. The lumber industry is very large; there are 
fifteen saw mills in the county. At Groveton, the county seat, is 
located one of the largest saw mills in the State. The census of 
1900 gives the population as 10,976. 

Schools and Churches. 

There are sixty schools in the county, employing eighty-five 
teachers, and receiving for their support the sum of $12,917 from 
the State school fund. The church organizations number seventy- 
five, of the leading denominations. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are sold at from $6 to $10 per acre; unimproved 
lands from $3 to $8 per acre. 

Banks. 

There is one bank in the county, with deposits amounting to 
$75,000. 

Railway Facilities. 

There are two lines of road in the county; the Missouri, Kansas 
& Texas Railway runs through the county from east to west. 

Towns. 

GROVETON, the county seat, with a population of 2,000; Trinity, 
1,000; Glendale, 300; Saron, 300; Westville, 300; Willard, 350, are 
the important towns, doing a large business, with good business 
houses and an increasing trade. 

140 



POLK COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

1 

Situated in the eastern 
part of the State, the gener- 
al surface is slightly broken, 
and there is an abundance 
of timber, principally pine, 
pecan, oak, walnut, cypress 
and cedar. The lumber in- 
dustry is an important one. 
Cotton and corn are the lead- 
ing crops. The soil is a 
sandy loam, adapted for fruits and vegetables. The county was 
organized in 1846, and contains 710,760 acres, with a population of 
14,477. 




A Texas Melon Patch. 



Schools and Churches. 

The county has seventy-six schools, employing ninety teachers, 
and receives from the State school fund $15,632. The leading re- 
ligious organizations are well represented. 



Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are to be had at from 
proved lands from $3 to $5 per acre. 



to $15 per acre; unini- 



Railway Facilities. 

Two lines of road traverse 
the county; the Missouri, Kan- 
sas & Texas Railway passes 
through the county from east 
to west. 

Towns. 

LIVINGSTON, the county 
seat, has a population of 1,200; 
Corrigan, 500 ; Moscow, 600; Leg- 
gett, 300; Colita, 150. Livingston 
and Corrigan are both good 
business centers, with a number 
of large mercantile houses. 




Saw Mill near Corrigan. 



141 



TYLER COUNTY. 



Area and Population. 

This county was organized 
in 1846, and contains 587,520 
acres, with about 80,000 acres 
in cultivation. Corn, cotton, po- 
tatoes, vegetables and fruits are 
the principal crops. The soil 
is light sandy and black loam. 
The census of 1900 shows the 
population to be 11,889. 




A Texas Vineyard. 



Schools and Churches. 

There are forty schools in the county, employing seventy-five 
teachers, receiving from the State school fund the sum of $12,611 
for their support. The leading religious denominations are each 
represented. 

Cost of Lands. 

Improved lands are rated from $10 to $20 per acre; unimproved 
lands from $4 to $8 per acre. 



Railway Facilities. 

There are two roads in the county; the Missouri, Kansas & 
Texas Railway passes centrally through the county. 



Towns. 

COLMESNEIL, with a 
population of 2,000; Wood- 
ville, the county seat, with 
1,500; "Warren, with 1,200, 
are the leading towns in the 
county, each having large 
mercantile houses and doing 
a good business. The lum- 
ber industry is important; 
there are several large saw 
mills located at Colmesneil. 




Lumber Yard at Colmesneil 



142 




1 — Bridge Across Red River. 
2 — Business Section. 



3 — Post Office. 
4 — Court House. 



5 — Main Street. 
6 — Cotton Yards. 



SHREVEPORT, LA., 



With a population of about 20,000, is one of the important whole- 
sale and distributing centers of the South. 

Bank clearings in 1901 exceeded $300,000,000. 

Eight railway lines enter the city, affording superior distribut- 
ing facilities. 

Four cotton compresses, one the largest in the world; a $100,000 
cotton mill and six brick plants, three cotton seed oil mills, 
and five banks, speak well of the commercial prosperity of Shreve- 
port. 

It is the geographical center of the largest pine district in the 
world. 

It is the third interior cotton center in the world, with a maxi- 
mum of actual receipts reaching 312,000 bales. 

It is the largest wholesale grocery market in the South. 

It has 95 manufacturing enterprises, which pay over one million 
dollars annually to labor. 

Is equipped with street railways and other essentials of munici- 
pal life. 

It has a large number of fine business blocks, a magnificent 
court house, a handsome post office building, many handsome homes 
and costly churches, the best educational advantages, with a fine 
system of public schools, colleges and private schools. 

During 1901 over a half million dollars was expended for new 
buildings, and a like sum for paved streets. 

Shreveport is the southeastern terminus of the Missouri, Kan- 
sas & Texas Railway, and one of the principal gateways between 
Texas and the Southeast. 

The country tributary to Shreveport is a rich farming country, 
in the Red River Valley. Cotton and corn yield abundantly; during 
the past few years alfalfa has been grown extensively, producing 
from 10 to 12 tons per acre, worth $5 to $7 per ton. 





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urn 



Lines of the M. K. & T. Ry. of Texas 









SECTIONAL MAP 
CENTRAL AND EASTERN TEXAS 

Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, 

"•B <h» cropi adapted to sach section, with 



L. C. Bindery 

IQ04 



